Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The covert surveillance Bill was promised by the Government in response to Deputy Rabbitte's Private Members' Bill on enhancing powers of electronic surveillance, which most people agree is needed. Has the Government approved that Bill and when will it be published?

When I last asked about the Bill to take medical cards from the over 70s, I was told it would be published before the end of November. Does that remain the plan? When is Second Stage likely to be held in this House?

I am totally confused about the Government's intentions with regard to imposing a cap on spending limits for candidates in local elections. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government announced on 7 October that the Government would introduce legislation to cap spending. I have asked on a number of occasions when and how the legislation would be introduced. The last reply I received was that it had not yet been approved by the Government. I do not know whether the Government intends to proceed with the plan, so I ask whether the Minister has brought proposals for imposing a cap on spending limits in local elections.

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