Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I support Deputy Kenny's request for a debate in the House next week on the implications of the cut in the health service budget for next year. It has already been stated that this will affect front line services. We need to debate that in the House and I hope the Government would agree to the request from the Opposition parties for a debate next week.

Several Ministers have stated in recent days that it is their wish and intention that people who have been involved in wrongdoing in the banks be identified, punished, etc. However, the Government seems to be moving very slowly on a number of items of legislation dealing with white collar crime. There was a European Union agreement in 2003 on combating corruption, particularly in the private sector, while the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill 2008 has been moving slowly through the House — it is on Committee Stage. What is the Government's intention regarding progressing that Bill?

The 2005 money laundering directive, which was agreed by the European Union, has not yet been transposed into Irish law. I understand it is now the subject of an approach by the Commission to the European courts because of the Government's failure to bring in the legislation to give effect to it. When will that legislation be introduced?

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