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

The third issue I want to raise is the water environment Bill. This Bill is to support the implementation of the water framework directive, which is particularly relevant given all the debate we have had.

A fourth piece of legislation that has been promised relates to the establishment of a new model of financing social interventions called social impact bonds. These would share the Exchequer savings with charitable and voluntary organisations. When will that legislation be introduced?

The broadcasting (amendment) Bill will amend the Broadcasting Act 2009 to remove the television licence fee provisions, introduce the means of collecting a broadcasting charge and implement the Government decision relating to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland's five-year review of public funding. The former Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources was very enthusiastic about this legislation. The Taoiseach might indicate when it is proposed to publish it.

The health reform Bill will put in place the new structures for the health service. When can we expect this Bill or is it to be published? The health (transport support) Bill is to 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. The Taoiseach will remember that this was a very hot issue nearly two budgets ago. He made promises that he would look after those whose mobility is severely hampered by virtue of having a disability and nothing has been done. It is a scandal in itself that the Taoiseach has allowed all this time to go by without fulfilling his commitments in that regard. I will leave it at that for today.

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