Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Yesterday, I raised with the Taoiseach the findings and conclusions of a working group established by the then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, into the requirements and conditions of employment for locums, but no answer was given. I note from a report in one of today's newspapers that when the Department of Health and Children was contacted on this matter, it could not find the relevant paperwork, despite an exhaustive search, which seems to be in keeping with the way the Department and the HSE do business. Much of the controversy over sensitive medical problems in the past couple of months has arisen where locum personnel were involved. Will the Tánaiste undertake to follow up on this and see what conclusions the Martin report reached?

What is the Government's position on the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill which was on the Order Paper two weeks ago but seems to have disappeared? Does the Tánaiste accept the Taoiseach's explanations as his previous evidence appears to be crumbling in the face of evidence being acquired by a tribunal? Does the Government intend to leave the Bill where it is until this module of the tribunals is completed?

What is the Government's intention in respect of the legislation for persons in nursing homes which is due to take effect on 1 January? It is over 12 months since the Government announced this. Our party Whip, Deputy Kehoe, tells me that the Government intends to bring the Bill in and guillotine it through in the last two days of this session. I give the Tánaiste notice that if that is the intention, Members will strongly resist it. People legitimately want to ask about putting in place a fair and equitable structure that will not place an undue financial burden on patients and their next-of-kin. Will Members from all parties have adequate time to discuss the Bill, as they are entitled to do?

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