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

I ask the Taoiseach to give time, in advance of the Government's decision, in order that he can hear what others have to say about the issue.

We learned yesterday that there were more than 400 trolleys in accident and emergency departments across the country. Beaumont had 37 trollies, James Connolly Memorial Hospital had 49, Galway had 25 and Naas had 21. That is extraordinarily unfair on the patients and families involved. I asked the Taoiseach about the health reform Bill and other health legislation yesterday. It seems that the entire programme for Government and the legislation promised in regard to health are in tatters. There is no sense of any plan or coherence and things are falling apart. The Government is in denial. What is the status of the health reform and health information Bills?

When will the family leave Bill be produced? We are one of only two countries across the European Union that does not have specific legislation to allow both parents to take leave when they have a baby. Senator White and others have progressed the issue in the Seanad and commitments in that regard have been made by the Minister. I ask the Taoiseach to indicate when the Government intends to bring the Bill before the House.

When does the Taoiseach expect to bring the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Bill before the House? We have long lost any notion that a democratic revolution will happen, but reform was promised after the Seanad referendum. When will he outline his proposals to reform the Seanad? Publishing the Bill would be a first step.

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