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

The Taoiseach will be aware that the price of oil has decreased dramatically in the past few months. However, the consumer, on a range of levels, has yet to receive the proportionate reduction in the price of oil or petrol and the view of the regulator appears to be that he has no role in terms of pricing. It is a serious issue that when prices increase the consumer feels it very quickly but the same does not happen when prices decrease. As I said, oil prices have decreased dramatically. When will the Road Transport Bill and Public Transport Bill come before the House?

Furthermore, rent prices across Dublin have increased, on average, by 20%, which is a substantial increase. This is having a huge impact on those who rent their homes, including many families. This extraordinary increase in rents when combined with the type of accommodation which people can access under the terms of the rent supplement scheme is having a devastating impact on low income families, leaving many in poor housing or facing eviction and homelessness. When will the landlords and tenants Bill be introduced?

Yesterday, I asked the Taoiseach about a number of pieces of legislation in the health area. Section C of the legislative programme for the spring-summer session includes 12 Bills in the health area, the status of the majority of which is, "Publication Expected - Not possible to indicate at this stage". I am speaking in this regard about the health reform Bill, which is to put in place the new structures for the health service; the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (amendment) Bill, which is to amend the functions and membership of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board and the New Children's Hospital Establishment Bill, which is to establish a statutory body to provide paediatric acute services in Dublin. In all cases, the status is "Not possible to indicate at this stage". The status of the Nursing Home Support Scheme (Amendment) Bill, an important issue in terms of the Lourdes hospital redress scheme is "Publication Expected - 2015". In regard to the public health (retail licensing of tobacco products) Bill, which deals with a licensing system and other measures in relation to the sale of tobacco products and non-medicinal nicotine delivery systems, including e-cigarettes, the status is "Publication Expected - Not possible to indicate at this stage". While licensing of any new drug goes through a lengthy process in terms of FDA, Irish Medicines Board and European Medicines Agency approval and new foods are regulated by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, e-cigarettes-----

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