James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

My colleague Deputy Naughten, who is from my neighbouring constituency, raised a few moments ago the issue of the national monuments Bill, which seems destined to remain a hidden treasure. Last autumn we were told we could expect publication in the spring of this year. In the spring of this year we were told to expect publication in the autumn. The Taoiseach told us today that it will probably come in the latter half of this year, but I see in the summer schedule that it is now promised some time in 2010. This raises the question being asked by many of my constituents and others around the country - would this country have been better off over the last 12 months if we had not had a Taoiseach in situ?

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