Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I take Deputy Boyd Barrett's point. At the meeting of the Business Committee, there was a full explanation as to why Questions on Promised Legislation were not included this week. They will be included next week. There have been meetings on the legislative programme, which is being prepared, yesterday and today and there is to be another tomorrow and we hope to bring it to the Cabinet next Tuesday in order that the Deputy can ask questions on promised legislation. The intention is to have a relevant publication so there can be a meaningful 30-minute slot. That will absolutely be in place as normal from next week.

On the question on the economy, the Deputy's concern was shared by the Government side and, in fairness, by all Deputies across the House. We tried to facilitate a full and wholesome debate on health, including the four pillars of healthcare - Covid and health, disability services, public healthcare, mental health services and older people's services. The plan is to have a proper debate on the economy next week instead of just trying to fit a debate on the economy into a small slot on health this week. The objective is to have a meaningful debate next week. That was agreed fully by all members of the Business Committee. It will be on the schedule for next week.

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