Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I seek clarification of the Taoiseach's response to Deputy Kenny regarding the health (long-term residential care services) Bill. It was indicated in the spring programme that this Bill would be published during the last session, but we are now told it will be published during the summer session. As the Taoiseach has said on many occasions, the parliamentary session runs until the first day of the next term. In the case of the summer session, this means the end of September. Will the Taoiseach tell us with certainty that we will deal substantively with this legislation in the House before the summer recess?

The new legislative programme includes, under the aegis of the Department of Health and Children, the eligibility for health and personal social services Bill and the nurses and midwives Bill, both of which have been promised repeatedly and in respect of which recurrent delays have arisen. The nurses and midwives Bill was included in the previous programme for publication at the start of this year. Now, however, we are told it has been put back another 12 months. This is an incredible situation. What has gone wrong in the Department of Health and Children that legislation is being continually held back and deferred? These serious matters require address.

It has been reported that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform is considering a change in legislation to accommodate vending machines in betting offices throughout the State. Regardless of whether this is the case, will the Taoiseach avail of this opportunity to scotch absolutely any such idea or notion given that such a development would represent a further deepening of the already serious gambling crisis that exists in this State?

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