Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I wish to return to the reply the Tánaiste gave to Deputy Bruton about the legislation for the establishment of "an bord bail out", also known as the NAMA. When Deputy Burton asked about this legislation yesterday the Taoiseach clearly stated - Deputy Burton drew attention to the fact - that the legislation to establish this agency was not on the A list and was down somewhere on the C list. In response to Deputy Burton yesterday, the Taoiseach indicated to the House that the legislation would not appear until the autumn and that it was intended to establish the board on an interim basis in the meantime. This raises issues to which Deputy Burton has drawn attention about how we can have an agency established without legislation which will have functions including the acquisition and valuing of property with all of the consequences that will have for the State finances without authority from Dáil Éireann. The Tánaiste has told the House this morning, in contradiction to what the Taoiseach said yesterday, that the legislation will be presented this session. I want a straight answer. Will this Bill be brought before the House this session or in the autumn as indicated by the Taoiseach yesterday? If it is to be introduced this session, can the Tánaiste indicate when it will be published?

My second question also relates to a matter I raised yesterday regarding moving the writs for the two Dáil by-elections that are due to be held. When I asked the Taoiseach about this yesterday he said that the Government had not yet made a decision on it.

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