Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy will know the Bills are graded into three lists, A, B and C. List A is the most relevant for those who want to consider what legislative proposals will be coming forward rather than refer to Bills that obviously are not accorded priority or which are not in prospect of enactment in the near future. The Deputy will know that when promises are made in respect of legislation, the period in question is not from the beginning of a session to its end but from the beginning of a session to the beginning of the next session. One must consider the Bills published before the first day of this session when accounting for the list of 20 about which the Deputy spoke. There would be more than eight by that definition. That is generally accepted by the Whips as what is meant when one brings forward a list and makes a promise of publication.

I was asked about the priorities. Clearly, the priorities are those Bills that are on list A because they are more ready to go than the others referred to by the Deputy. Sometimes occasions arise when legislation must be drafted quickly. Therefore, Bills sometimes come before the House that are not on the list but which are necessary and urgent. Court cases or other issues may arise that leave a lacuna in the law and in respect of which the taxpayer would be put at risk were a change not implemented quickly.

The Chief Whip, as chairman of the Government legislation programme, has been bringing forward these particular Bills. With regard to the Department of Finance, the Central Bank Bill is to replace existing structures with a new single and unified Central Bank of Ireland commission. The Finance Bill, which is before the House, is obviously important and it is to give statutory effect to budget day decisions.

With regard to the Department of Health and Children, we have in prospect this year the nurses and midwives Bill, which is to modernise the regulatory framework for nurses and midwives. I understand the prescription charges Bill will be later this year. It is to enable charges to be imposed under the medical card and long-term illness schemes subject to a monthly cap.

Traditionally, a large amount of legislation is brought forward by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. There are a number of Bills pertaining to this Department on the list. Criminal law and civil law are the sorts of areas in respect of which legislation will be brought forward. This legislation includes the civil law (miscellaneous provisions) Bill.

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