Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The Government Chief Whip has been on the airwaves to indicate that the Government is contemplating legislation to provide for compellability of witnesses before certain Oireachtas committees in connection with the banking issue. Is such legislation being considered and, if so, when will we see it?

On the Bill to give effect to the so called "pension levy" in the public services, the Public Services (Financial Contributions) Bill is down for consideration on Thursday. Has the Bill been approved by Government and when will it be circulated?

I have a copy of a letter in connection with the so called "pension levy", which was issued by the Secretary General of the Department of Health and Children to the chief executive officer of the Health Service Executive. It states that, in the case of the executive, this should lead to appropriations-in-aid in respect of deductions from its own staff. Appropriations-in-aid normally refer to regimens of charges. Is the Government contemplating additional charging in the Department of Health and Children and when is that likely to be brought before the House?

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