James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I wish to ask about three items of legislation. When will the nurses and midwives Bill on section A of the first list be taken? The prescription charges Bill is the next one on the clár after that, at No. 9, yet the drugs reference pricing Bill is way back at No. 71. When I last asked the Taoiseach about this, I said one Bill, which would inflict charges on those least able to pay, including the sick, the chronically ill and those on medical cards, and which might save €20 million plus had been considered very expeditiously. However, the drugs reference pricing Bill, which would save hundreds of millions, is being put on the long finger. The Taoiseach's response was to the effect that they were both on the same finger. I hope that is not the middle finger he is giving to the public because No. 71 seems to relate to Bills in respect of which heads have yet to be approved by Government, while the other Bill is to be published during this session. Will the Taoiseach please enlighten the House on those three Bills?

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