Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

On the question of what business can be taken and what debates can be held, that is a matter for the Whips to consider. The House had a debate on the cancer care situation some weeks ago and I contributed to that debate. The Taoiseach made the point yesterday in response to Deputy Gilmore and it is on the record that an interim policy and procedures have been adopted on the serious incident-management issue. The Taoiseach gave a full account of the reaction by the HSE and HIQA to these recommendations and the need to ensure, in so far as is possible, there is not a repeat of the incidents such as those in Portlaoise, the case of Rebecca O'Malley, Barringtons Hospital and elsewhere. Policies have been implemented by the Government. The Health Information and Quality Authority is the mechanism by which we can seek much better quality assessment and quality provision of health care services generally and cancer care in particular in regard to the issues that have been raised this morning. I refer both Deputies to what the Taoiseach said yesterday in what I thought was a full and informative reply on the present position on those matters. It is a matter for the Whips to decide if they wish to take that debate further in plenary session in this House.

On the issue raised by Deputy Kenny on Exchequer returns, it is important to point out that some of the downside risks referred to by me have perhaps started to materialise in terms of the high price of oil, the change in the sterling and dollar exchange rates and the downturn in the international economy, which will have its effect here as it will elsewhere throughout the developed world. However, we are in a good position in terms of the public finances to withstand the pressures that are undoubtedly emerging as a result of that. We have a very low GDP-debt ratio — it is only 15% net. We will ensure that we control our public expenditure and current expenditure. We will not resign on our investment plans, namely, the capital investment programme, which is important. I said in my budget speech that we needed to borrow prudently to invest ambitiously, and we are doing that. We should not change tack in that respect. Our approach should be quite the contrary. Where below potential growth is being achieved, as is happening internationally, that is the time to invest in a capital programme that will ensure we develop the productive side of the economy. The Government is playing a role in that context in that, as part of the economic cycle, it is making an enhanced contribution in terms of the public expenditure and investment programme.

Regarding legislation, nine of the 17 Bills on the spring A list of the legislative programme have been published. There are seven Bills on the new A list, the Irish Sports Council amendment Bill, the broadcasting Bill, the chemicals regulation and enforcement Bill, the ombudsman amendment Bill, the adoption Bill, the health long-term residential care services Bill, the prevention of corruption amendment Bill and the Dublin Transport Authority Bill, which was before the Cabinet only this week and is being dealt with. Therefore, there is a substantive body of legislation for this session and, hopefully, with the co-operation of everyone we can deal with it in a way that will enable Members on all sides of the House to make a contribution.

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