Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

First, will the Taoiseach indicate if the Government has made a decision yet in respect of the naming of a date for the reform treaty referendum of the European Union? The Taoiseach is aware of my views on this matter that the sooner we fix a date, the easier it will be for parties for and against to put their plans in order. Has the Cabinet decided on a date and, if so, will the Taoiseach give us that date?

Second, the Taoiseach is aware of a letter I wrote to him and which matter has been referred to by Deputy Shatter on a number of occasions, namely, the fact that there is a clear deficiency in the law in so far as sexual predators and young children is concerned. This is an enabling provision dealt with by the last committee and our preference would be that this question should be put as well to ensure that the authorisation to draft legislation could be given by the people, which legislation would be decided by the relevant Oireachtas committee and all its ramifications and eventually the House. Has the Taoiseach decided on that matter to run in conjunction with the EU referendum?

Third, the Taoiseach used his authority here on the matter of the EU water directive in respect of school charges. A committee is meeting as we speak, if it is not adjourned, dealing with the difficulty that will arise about the GMS scheme and the provision of medication and prescriptions for patients. There is a serious row in that regard and pre-emptive action has been taken by the Health Service Executive in sending out contracts without figures, which will cause mayhem within the entire spectrum. I am not sure of the outcome of the committee meeting but in the interests of finding out what should be done, the Taoiseach might instruct that no action be taken either by the HSE or the pharmacists until such time as a competent, independent authority makes recommendations as to the way this matter should be addressed in the interests of everybody. I ask him, in his capacity as Taoiseach, to ensure that happens before 1 March or there will be a great deal of angst in many sectors throughout the country.

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