Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

With regard to the question on mental health facilities, I ask the Deputy to table a question to the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Moloney, who can update him regarding those matters. I do not have that information available to me.

The legislative amendment we talked about bringing forward this morning at our meeting related to making sure there is a legal basis, unambiguously provided, that will allow for the exchange of information between the HSE and the Department of Health and Children. This is an issue that involves the Chid Care Act, the Data Protection Act and constitutional provisions where a court order is in place based on in camera proceedings. These issues have to be resolved legally and they can, and will, be resolved legally. The purpose of the legislation is to allow for the exchange of information to take place that would satisfy the people on the review group to set about doing their work and getting whatever information they require in that respect. Factual information requested by the group will be furnished as a matter for urgency by the HSE no later than Friday of this week to enable them to get on with this work. In the meantime, the statutory provision should be brought forward as well to deal with the matter fully.

With regard to the question on betting legislation, I took the opportunity of a recent speech to the horseracing industry to state that we have sought and found a way legally in which we can deal with the question of people applying for licences with which to have bets placed outside the jurisdiction and the legislation will be prepared during the course of this year.

See this speech in context