Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask about a number of promised Bills in the health area. We have just had a discussion on the west-north west saga, involving the procurement of a report on maternity services, as well as the circumstances surrounding a shareholding of the then chairman of the West-North West Hospitals Group. The health care initiatives Bill will enable the HSE to set up subsidiary companies. Given all that has happened recently, it is legislation in which most Deputies will be interested and on which there should be prior consultation. Will the Taoiseach give an indication as to when he expects publication of that Bill, which is topical. It is No. 95 in the Government's legislative programme for 2014.

The health transport support Bill will provide for a scheme to make individual payments to people with severe disabilities who cannot access public transport as a contribution towards their transport costs. This is a very significant issue for those with severe disabilities. When can we expect publication of the Bill?

I seek information on the human tissue Bill in the context of the very shocking revelations in the Irish Independent today regarding the remains of deceased infants being used for research purposes in universities across the State for a prolonged period. The Bill aims to meet the key recommendations made in the Madden report on post mortems and the retention of human tissue after post mortems without consent. Again, the Taoiseach might indicate when he expects publication of the Bill.

The national paediatric hospital development board (amendment) Bill will provide for an amendment to the functions and membership of the national paediatric hospital development board. I ask the Taoiseach to give update me on the Bill, given the importance of the project and its centrality to the future care of children.

We had a very damning report this week on the levels of alcohol consumption in the country. The report highlights the high incidence of binge drinking among adults and young people alike. I recall that the former Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Róisín Shortall, was strong in promoting the Bill, but for some reason it seems to have withered on the vine because I do not know where it is. It will provide for minimum unit pricing in the retailing of alcohol products, regulate the marketing and advertising of alcohol and sports sponsorship, provide for a structural separation of alcohol from other products and also for health labelling of alcohol products. Will the Taoiseach indicate what the Government's expectation is in terms of publication of the Bill and the timeline for progressing it through the Oireachtas.

See this speech in context