Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. 10a, motion on supplementary statement of expenditure for Houses of the Oireachtas; No. 1, Voluntary Health Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2007 [Seanad] — Second Stage (resumed); No. 16, statements on National Drug Strategy 2001 to 2008 and the mid-term review of the National Drugs Strategy March 2005. It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that No. 10a shall be decided without debate; the proceedings on No. 16 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 3.30 p.m. and the following arrangements shall apply. The statements of a Minister or Minister of State and of the main spokespersons for the Fine Gael Party, the Labour Party and Sinn Féin, who shall be called upon in that order, shall not exceed 15 minutes in each case; the statements of each other Member called upon shall not exceed ten minutes in each case; Members may share time; and a Minister or Minister of State shall take questions for a period not exceeding 20 minutes; on the conclusion of questions a Minister or Minister of State shall be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed five minutes.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal for dealing with No. 10a without debate agreed? Agreed.

Is the proposal for dealing with No. 16 agreed?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government seems to have a problem in bringing forward legislation. In recent weeks there have been a series of statements to which I do not object. The Tánaiste said last night that Members should speak in the House on issues of importance. I put the Tánaiste on notice that in future if the Government intends to bring in a series of statements, there should be a motion from the Government rather than bland and endless statements on whatever the issue may be? The Government, for example, should put forward a motion on drugs to allow the House an opportunity to have a real debate on the issue.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Last night when the Tánaiste invited the House to have a debate on various issues, I interjected "not statements" with which he agreed. In the spirit of that contribution, which was a measured one, he will accept today's proceedings were negotiated in advance. However, I support Deputy Kenny's views on motions rather than statements. To facilitate the House and the Government Whip, if a division has to be taken on one it can be deferred for another day. We are not trying to create difficulties on that front.

Until we begin to engage seriously, we will not take ourselves seriously nor will we be taken seriously. The process of having statements to fill up time is of no benefit to anyone. It does not get us the coverage or engagement with our constituents that is required. For Government backbenchers and the Opposition a more robust engagement involving motions, and divisions on them to be held at a convenient time, would be a better way to do our business since the Government seems to be incapable of generating legislation.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I have no problem in principle with any arrangement that will enhance the debate and coverage of the House in plenary session, particularly with committee work. Any arrangement that would enhance the House's deliberations is to be welcomed by all Members on all sides. These matters are Whips' issues. On the interjection referred to by Deputy Quinn on statements, I took that to mean that people would rather that we come into the Chamber without prepared scripts more often. I am in favour of that but getting coverage without a prepared script is more difficult.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal for dealing with No. 16 agreed? Agreed.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Yesterday, I raised with the Taoiseach the findings and conclusions of a working group established by the then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, into the requirements and conditions of employment for locums, but no answer was given. I note from a report in one of today's newspapers that when the Department of Health and Children was contacted on this matter, it could not find the relevant paperwork, despite an exhaustive search, which seems to be in keeping with the way the Department and the HSE do business. Much of the controversy over sensitive medical problems in the past couple of months has arisen where locum personnel were involved. Will the Tánaiste undertake to follow up on this and see what conclusions the Martin report reached?

What is the Government's position on the Tribunals of Inquiry Bill which was on the Order Paper two weeks ago but seems to have disappeared? Does the Tánaiste accept the Taoiseach's explanations as his previous evidence appears to be crumbling in the face of evidence being acquired by a tribunal? Does the Government intend to leave the Bill where it is until this module of the tribunals is completed?

What is the Government's intention in respect of the legislation for persons in nursing homes which is due to take effect on 1 January? It is over 12 months since the Government announced this. Our party Whip, Deputy Kehoe, tells me that the Government intends to bring the Bill in and guillotine it through in the last two days of this session. I give the Tánaiste notice that if that is the intention, Members will strongly resist it. People legitimately want to ask about putting in place a fair and equitable structure that will not place an undue financial burden on patients and their next-of-kin. Will Members from all parties have adequate time to discuss the Bill, as they are entitled to do?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Second Stage of the Tribunal of Inquiries Bill has resumed. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has given full and unambiguous assurances that it has nothing to do with existing inquiries and does not interfere with them in any way, as the Opposition knows.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Government will interfere at the first chance it gets.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It continues nevertheless to trot out the same old stuff in the hope that it might get a line in the newspapers. I do not intend editorialising on the tribunal's deliberations although I note that the Opposition does so every day of the week.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Does the Tánaiste believe the Taoiseach's evidence?

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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It is an about turn.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We will not get an answer to that question.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It is intended to take the nursing homes support scheme Bill in this session. It has been in the public domain for well over a year. If the Opposition had any queries it could have used parliamentary Question Time or Private Members' motion time. It has had any number of opportunities to seek further clarification on it.

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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It has not been published.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Health and Children has often enunciated the full details of how it would work.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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How can we see it if it has not been published?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Bill will be debated when it comes forward because the Minister is anxious to proceed with it. The legislation provides for a new nursing home support scheme, the final details of which are being addressed.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Will it be guillotined?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister proposes to publish the Bill following Government approval and have the legislation in place in time for the new year.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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The Taoiseach seemed to be in doubt about that yesterday.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government's legislative programme, published on the day the House resumed in September, listed 17 Bills for publication in this session. Only two, however, have been published. We have not been overburdened with legislative business from the Government during this session. No legislation is listed for debate in the Dáil next week, which is understandable because it is budget week.

After next week there will be five sitting days left before Christmas, two or three of which will presumably be taken up with the Social Welfare Bill which leaves two or three more days. There is no way that we will accept the nursing home Bill or any other Bill being introduced at short notice and rammed through the House a couple of days before Christmas and guillotined.

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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There was a great deal of talk over the past two nights during which the Minister for Health and Children said she wants a bipartisan approach to health. We will see what happens.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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That was when the Minister was in trouble.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The nursing homes support scheme Bill is of serious concern to people around the country but it has not even been published. If the Government has any intention of railroading that Bill through the House it will meet with almighty resistance. The same applies to any other Bill.

Will the Tánaiste tell us what Bills the Government will put on the Dáil Order Paper between now and Christmas? That is a reasonable question.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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A significant amount of legislation was cleared before the election was called.We have said we will publish the majority of the Bills before the next session. The Whips will decide on the balance of the work for the House in this session but that includes the budget, the Social Welfare Bill, the nursing homes support scheme Bill, the Appropriation Bill and there is the possibility of another health Bill being published in that time. There will be no shortage of important legislation in the remainder of this term.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Will we be able to debate it?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister has several times enunciated the content and political direction of that Bill in the past few months.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Is the Government going ahead with it?

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Are we just going to nod it through?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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There is a long-standing practice which I understood Government had accepted that there would be a period of two weeks between the publication of a Bill and the commencement of Second Stage, except when emergency legislation was required. Normal practice allows a decent time for Committee and Report Stages. The Nursing Home Support Scheme Bill has not yet been published. The Tánaiste says its political direction and main content have been known for some time which makes one wonder why it has not been published, particularly if it is intended to take it before Christmas. If the Government wants a serious political row before Christmas it will get it on this Bill because organisations representing elderly people want an opportunity to consult on and discuss it, as do we. This affects many families.

It is too clever a trick to move the Bill and get it done before Christmas and hope that the flak dies down. It will not. When will it be published? Will the Tánaiste assure me that it will not be rushed and guillotined through the House and that the two week convention will apply between its publication and the start of Second Stage?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I have outlined the position on the nursing home Bill and as soon as it is published the arrangements will be made for it to be taken in the House. The issue requires urgent attention. Many families are waiting for it to ensure that a fair deal is available to all. It will not affect people who are now in long-term nursing home care. It will provide arrangements for the future to ensure that we have an equitable system.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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It will take 15% off their houses.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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There are people who unfortunately have to sell their homes under the existing system.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputies cannot go into the content of the Bill now.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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There is no consultation.

Deputies:

The Government's friends will build private nursing homes for the public patients.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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What about the two week convention for the Bill?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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We will make sure that situation does not arise. It is the old story here, where everyone says they are talking about reform but continue to talk about the status quo.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government will not get away with this now.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Will the Bill be published before the next election?

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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As Christmas approaches tens of thousands of families face the festive season in substandard accommodation and unsuitable housing. The stark rise in homelessness is evident every evening on the streets of this city and statistics clearly indicate that social housing as a percentage of overall housing output is steadily decreasing.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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To what legislation is the Deputy referring?

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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There is a crisis in the area of housing and, with respect, I am no less entitled to expand on this point than any previous speaker. Given the seriousness of this situation for so many families, will the Tánaiste expedite the Social Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill so we can properly address the tragedy facing so many throughout the State? Can we redirect this Government's housing policy towards the provision of social housing as it is a key responsibility of national and local government?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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That Bill provides for social housing reforms aimed at improving services and their delivery, including strengthening local authority powers to deal with anti-social behaviour, expanding the path to home ownership for social housing tenants and providing for the rental accommodation scheme. The Bill is due next year and our capital programmes contain a strong commitment to enhance the provision of social and affordable housing that is consistent with the National Economic and Social Council, NESC, report. The strategy to eliminate homelessness is proceeding and has been successful in many respects.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The last time I asked a question concerning that Bill I was told it was due, but the Tánaiste did not know of such a Bill.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I apologise to Deputy McCormack as I did not hear him.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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How will provision be made for the meetings that have taken place between the chairpersons of committees? Perhaps it will be made by way of Supplementary Estimate. It is acceptable that we agreed to No. 10a this morning without debate because that sum covers the administration of the House. I understand the Accounting Officer for the Vote of the House is the Clerk of the Dáil. Meetings have taken place between the chairs of all the committees that have been established and they have begun making statements on the needs of the various committees.

A parliamentary question I tabled relating to the Committee on Foreign Affairs was turned down by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, as he has no function in the funding of that committee. The matter was referred to this Vote for the Houses of the Oireachtas. If we are to drive the reform of practices in these Houses and if committees are to have the resources, including physical resources, recording equipment, staff, meeting rooms and so on, that nearly all committee members agree on, will we have a separate Supplementary Estimate? Account must be taken of the additional resources needed to enable the committee system to function well because it has been expanded but not resourced. However, are we to take it that No. 10a, which was agreed without debate this morning and which applies to an existing level of expenditure, is the only opportunity we will have to properly fund the reforms that are desperately needed to change a committee system that is not working into a system that involves proper consultation?

I put this question to the Tánaiste because it is difficult to know where one should get information on the Houses of the Oireachtas. Regarding the Order of Business, will the Government order a Supplementary Estimate that will enable the expansion of committee resources agreed by the committee chairpersons?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Houses of the Oireachtas Commission has allocated a budget for the committees that is operated by the working group of the chairmen of committees. It, in turn, can make a case to the commission for additional funding it deems necessary.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Ceann Comhairle's suggestion would meet more fruitful results than coming directly to me on this matter.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is what we might hope.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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What is the position on carbon in next week's budget? Will the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Cowen, make known his intentions regarding the format of the carbon budget and carbon report? Will the budget take account of the report of the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, which shows we have dramatically exceeded our target on carbon emissions?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot discuss the budget as the Deputy knows. The Deputy cannot ask questions on the content of the budget.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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This is part of the budget and no indication has been given of the Government's position. Will the Government be represented at the United Nations climate change conference in Bali?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not relevant to the Order of Business and we will move on. These matters can be discussed next week.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy can bet her bottom dollar the Government will be represented in Bali.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Perhaps the Green Party Members of the House can tell us if they will be represented at the United Nations climate change conference in Bali.

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy John Gormley, will attend the conference.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Can the Tánaiste give us the outline of the format carbon offsets will take in the budget as this is an important and expensive matter?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy knows that is not possible.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Perhaps a search party is needed to find out who is going to Bali.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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This morning's newspapers report that six women seen at the Mid-West Regional Hospital in my constituency are to be recalled for review — this relates to the case of Rebecca O'Malley. Their tests were done at Cork University Hospital and the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, is soon to publish a report on the matter. This will be one of a number of reports because Dr. Ann O'Doherty has a report and a report is also due relating to the locum pathologist in Cork University Hospital, who also worked in Galway. The Health Service Executive has indicated it is carrying out a report on the situation in Portlaoise.

We have debated these matters in this House over the past two nights, there is widespread concern relating to testing for cancer and the Minister has called for support across the House for her proposals on cancer. I believe this House has a strong role in debating these reports and I support Deputy O'Reilly regarding the Committee on Health and Children and public representatives playing their roles in ensuring confidence is restored in cancer services. Will the Government provide time in this House to debate the results of the various inquiries and ensure we make a contribution to restoring confidence in cancer services in this country?

It would also be positive to discuss Professor Keane's proposals and announcements in next week's budget on the funding of cancer proposals, which I hope to hear. As the Tánaiste knows, no indication has been given of how we will fund the considerable resources needed to implement the proposals. Current resources, even in what will be centres of excellence, are inadequate.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We have fully debated these issues over the past two nights and, while I understand the Deputy's concerns, I know the Tánaiste will say the Whips will have to agree on the discussions the Deputy proposes.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Will we have the opportunity to contribute positively to this issue as it is a concern that is felt on all sides of the House?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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This is a matter for the Whips but, to take up Deputy O'Sullivan's point, it is important that this House plays a role in all services, rather than seek to undermine them. It is important to point out that 96,000 people who, unfortunately, have this disease were diagnosed properly and that is 75% more than ten years ago. BreastCheck is being rolled out and many positive things are happening.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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It is four years too late in my constituency.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The genesis of this strategy was the 1996 cancer care strategy of Deputy Michael Noonan and that is to his credit. As Minister for Health and Children, I brought forward a cardiovascular strategy——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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With respect, we cannot have a debate on this issue.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Ceann Comhairle to allow me make this point. Too often, the impression is left hanging that everything is wrong in the health service. The reality is that there are 5,000 people alive and well today who would have suffered perhaps fatal heart attacks if we had not implemented strategic changes in the area of treatment for heart disease, the other great killer. Major developments and improvements are taking place in this regard.

Professor Keane's role is to redirect resources to these centres, to ensure that what happened in Portlaoise——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot debate this issue now.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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——does not happen again. Aside from the allocation of additional resources, it is clearly a question of redirecting resources to ensure we get the quality outcomes that all citizens are entitled to expect. If we can construct our debates so that this is the focus of our concern, bearing in mind that we are here to represent ordinary people, not interest groups or people who put forward their own particular version of events to maintain the status quo and are opposed to everything——

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Ordinary people are saying that additional resources are required.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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If we are prepared to do that, we can add to the quality of the debate.

Michael Mulcahy (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Jan O'Sullivan should listen to what the Tánaiste is saying.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Too often, however, the narrative is such that it does not add anything and, on occasion, takes away from the dignity of the House in the way that we conduct our debates.

Michael Mulcahy (Dublin South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Hear, hear.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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My contribution was entirely in a positive spirit.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I have called Deputy Crawford.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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The people to whom I have spoken tell me that additional resources are required.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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We are not concerned with listening only to those with vested interests.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot have a debate on this issue.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Given that home care services that allow patients to remain in their own homes have been removed, there is an urgent need for the nursing home support scheme Bill to be brought to this House.

There is cross-party support for efforts to secure a good outcome for illegal Irish immigrants in the United States. However, it is important that we have a full debate on how we treat people who come to this State, some of whom are fleeing severe circumstances. When will the immigration, residence and protection Bill be introduced?

I attended a discussion on mental health and suicide this morning. Those who contributed to the discussion emphasised the part played by alcohol in mental illness and the damage it does. Is there any prospect that the Bill included in the legislative programme some years ago regarding the promotion of alcohol at youth events will be reintroduced? When will the sale of alcohol Bill, which is included in the current legislative programme, be introduced so that we can have a debate on this issue? We cannot walk away from this extremely serious situation.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The question of whether to reactivate the alcohol products Bill is under consideration. The drinks industry has taken a voluntary approach and is operating a code of conduct. We are working with the industry to ensure advertising is more responsible.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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That approach is not working.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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People can have their view on these matters. I am bringing to the Deputy's attention the current status of the legislation.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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We were promised that the alcohol products Bill would be reintroduced.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I understand the immigration, residence and protection Bill will be introduced this session. The Government is anxious to see the nursing home support Bill enacted as quickly as possible.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government informed the Seanad last night that it is the Government's intention to reform the Upper House. In particular, there is a proposal to reform the university seats by merging the two panels together and extending the franchise to all graduates. The latter proposal would implement a referendum decision of the electorate in 1979. When are we likely to see the legislation to implement these proposals? The only way to effect the changes is through primary legislation. Assuming this is an agreed Government initiative, what timeframe is envisaged for its implementation?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister pointed out that, in principle, we are of the view that extending the franchise should form part of prospective future reform of the Seanad. He took the first opportunity yesterday to give that indication in the Seanad. I am sure it will be welcomed by Members on all sides of the House given that it is a long-standing recommendation and one that will reflect the far greater participation we are pleased to have reached in third level education. There are many graduates who should have voting rights to those seats along with those who traditionally held them in the past when the situation was different.

The question of when legislation will be brought forward——

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Surely that is elitism.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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It is the very antithesis of elitism to extend voting rights to all third level graduates.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot have a debate on this issue or we will be here all day.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Why should voting rights be confined to third level graduates?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I never thought I would hear a Labour Party Deputy defend the current situation in regard to Seanad seats.

Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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We do not defend it; we wish to change it.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As they say in my part of the country, that beats Banagher.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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My point is that there is no reason that those who had the benefit of attending third level should have separate representation in the Upper House. There is no justification for that.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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There should be universal suffrage.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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There is much to be said about the rotten boroughs that exist. I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. Has a memorandum gone to the Government on this specific issue or was the Minister winging it last night when he spoke in the Seanad?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister gave his views——

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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That is my point; he gave his views.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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No. He gave the Government's views on this matter as part of a wider prospect of reform that should take place. Deputy Brian Hayes may one day get to make a ministerial speech — which I hope he will, although not in the near future.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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In any case, I hope he will be making speeches as a Deputy rather than a Senator. It is possible for a Minister to give his or her views without a memo to Government. Deputy Brian Hayes should not be too stilted if he ever gets the job.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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The Minister is simply making a narrative.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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There is no legislation proposed. The Tánaiste said this proposal is part of a broader review. In other words, nothing will have happened in five years' time.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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That is not the case. Deputy Hayes should accept when somebody says something new.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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When will the George Mitchell Scholarship Fund Act 1998 (Amendment) Bill come before the House? Ms Vargo is interested in taking Irish taxpayers' money but she is not so interested in taking Irish sons and daughters into the United States.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should not make claims about named persons, who are not Members, in that fashion.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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She is interested in our taxes but not in our sons and daughters.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The person referred to by the Deputy is not here to respond to what he said. He should refrain from referring to this person.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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When will that legislation come before the House so we can have a debate?

My second question is on a topic of interest to Deputy Finian McGrath. When will the noise Bill come before the House? There was much noise last week from Deputy Finian McGrath and various Government backbenchers but there was no action.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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There is no better man in the House than Deputy Ring to ask about the noise Bill. He has the best set of lungs in west Mayo.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Finian McGrath takes the Banagher.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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We have all heard the noise of Deputy Finian McGrath changing his mind.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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As they say in my area, that takes the biscuit.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Deputy Finian McGrath took the shilling.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I assure Deputy Ring he is not the only person interested in the noise Bill.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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In view of the delays in bringing forward the noise Bill, perhaps Deputy Ring will introduce a Private Members' Bill. The George Mitchell Scholarship Fund Act 1998 (Amendment) Bill is at the preparatory stage.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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What is the status of the noise Bill? It is included in the legislative programme.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Deputy Finian McGrath is introducing that Bill.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Perhaps Deputies Finian McGrath and Ned O'Keeffe will introduce it. I would support it.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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It is badly needed.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The Bill is unlikely to be taken while Deputy Ring is in the House.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am not like the Government Members who make much noise but take no action when it comes down to it. Deputy Quinn is correct; Deputy Finian McGrath took the shilling, the Taoiseach's shilling rather than the Queen's.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Local government is an essential element in any democratic state. Since its establishment in 1898, local government is the vehicle by which important services have been provided in the State. Is the electoral (amendment) Bill being delayed to accommodate the Green Party in its proposal to reduce the number of local public representatives in counties outside the Pale, including Cork and Galway? The boundary commission recently published its report on the constituencies for Dáil and European elections. The latter are fast approaching. It is important we get this legislation out of the way.

I have heard there is a proposal from the Green Party to reduce the number of local public representatives in constituencies outside of Dublin. Will the Tánaiste confirm if that is true?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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He cannot discuss the content of the legislation.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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He wants to.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The heads of the electoral amendment Bill are being prepared but no proposals have come to Government yet. When the Government gives approval we can discuss the matter.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Given the number of post offices which continue to be closed in Kerry, Laois, Offaly, Dublin, Cork and other places, and that the Taoiseach has indicated the ESOP-oriented Bill relating to the post office services will not be introduced in that context, is it intended to introduce legislation to lay out the framework for the future operation of post office services?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is legislation promised?

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Not as far as I know.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Ned O'Keeffe might not have a post office handy to send in an application for re-admission. The matter needs urgent consideration.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Will the Tánaiste give serious consideration to a debate on the benefits of putting new power lines underground? The Tánaiste should not be dismissive of it.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am not being dismissive but the Deputy should come to the point.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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The Tánaiste was dismissive of the matter. It is unfair to place these power lines without proper discussion. There are two Bills planned, the electricity (transfer of transmission assets) Bill and the electricity regulation (EirGrid) (amendment) Bill. If they were brought forward we could have a serious debate. People's health deserves such a debate.

These power lines will be in the north east but will have a national effect. It is only right and fair that the House has a proper debate on the benefits of putting these cables underground. We should at least analyse data and cost, which could be done under those two Bills. Proper decisions should be made in this House on people's health.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Both of those Bills are due next year.

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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They could be brought forward before that.