John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are three proposals to be put to the House today. Is the proposal for dealing with Nos. 11 and 12 without debate, motions re regional sittings of the Joint Committee on European Affairs and further Revised Estimates agreed to? I call Deputy Burton.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I am at a loss to understand the reason for a Revised Estimate this late in the year. The subject pertains to the public service broker arrangement, or REACH, which was meant to cost the taxpayer €14 million but eventually came in at a figure of €37 million. This note from the Whip shows clearly it has been abandoned by the Government in an under the counter fashion without a direct debate in this House. Overall, the Comptroller and Auditor General's report demonstrates that the entire business of e-government and public service access ended up costing an additional €88 million.

Reference was made to red cents earlier today in respect of the comments by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern that there was not a red cent available for the hospital in Navan. This is where the red cents have gone. They have gone down the drain. This report refers to a Cabinet decision in March to abandon the REACH project and transfer it to the Department of Finance. This is to be done under the counter without a word directly in this House and I do not consider that to be good enough. The Government must have acknowledged at the aforementioned Cabinet meeting that the public service broker project was a fiasco and that the Comptroller and Auditor General was correct to conclude that €25 million was wasted on this element of the e-government project out of a total wastage of €88 million. Incidentally, this figure does not include the €55 million to €60 million spent by the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, on e-voting.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Small change.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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As the Taoiseach leaves office, he comes into the House to put to bed one of the vanity projects from the time when Ireland had so much money that the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, could state that €55 million was small beer——

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I never stated that.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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One and a half years later, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, could state there is no money in the coffers for hospitals and that not a red cent remains. This issue should be debated on the floor of the House.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has made her point.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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This is like a Second Stage debate.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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At a minimum, the Taoiseach should come before the House and acknowledge the fiasco identified by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The transfer of the service to the Revenue Commissioners——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We must move on.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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——may be the best option. It is only €8 million, which is nothing to the Government. However, in a couple of months time, €8 million will mean a great deal to those who will not have their home help services. Today, Members are saying "rest in peace" to a waste of €88 million. In the context of this particular heading, the project was to cost €14 million and involved all the top people from the Departments of Social and Family Affairs, Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Finance, who agreed on a budget of €14 to €15 million.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I must ask the Deputy to conclude.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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They abandoned it at €37 million and it provides no services to the public. The report of the consultant showed——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has made her point and we cannot have a Second Stage speech.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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If €25 million to €27 million are wasted and publically acknowledged——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has made her point.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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——at a Cabinet meeting at the end of March, surely Members are entitled to discuss the matter in this House.

Deputies:

Hear, hear.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I will ask the Taoiseach to reply to the Deputy's point. However, I must remind Deputy Burton that a proposal by the Taoiseach on how the items of business are to be taken is a technical motion.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Sorry, Ceann Comhairle——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Excuse me, please. A proposal by the Taoiseach on how the items of business are to be taken, as the Deputy is probably aware, is a highly technical motion of narrow scope and the merits or demerits of the issue do not arise at this stage. Deputy Burton has been allowed a considerable amount of latitude and I ask the Taoiseach to reply.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I ask the Taoiseach——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I must put the question because it is not in order for Deputy Burton to respond.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal for dealing with Private Members' business agreed? Agreed. Is the proposal regarding Taoiseach's Questions for Wednesday, 9 April 2008 agreed? Agreed.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Can I take it from the announcement we discussed here last week that 12 June is the date for the EU referendum? While I do not know that there has been a formal announcement, I expect that it is the date and, for our part, we are planning on that basis.

The Taoiseach had to make a momentous announcement last week. In respect of a question asked by Deputy Gilmore last week, the Dáil will not be sitting on Tuesday, 6 May. Does the Taoiseach propose to comply with the usual protocol so that he will have an opportunity to announce his formal resignation to the Dáil? Will he do this on the Tuesday when the Dáil is not meeting? I know some of his predecessors had to make their statements to the Dáil.

Johnny Brady (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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He will be around.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Is it the Taoiseach's intention to do this on the Tuesday or to come to the Dáil on the Wednesday? Some have said I was not as magnanimous as I should have been about the Taoiseach and I want an opportunity to speak on that.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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It is too late.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Johnny Brady should not go there.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Deputy Brady should keep his name in.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I want to raise two matters with the Taoiseach. First, I understand that Mr. John Purcell, who has been the Comptroller and Auditor General since 1994, is due to retire on 14 May. This is a constitutional office and I understand the method of appointment is that the new Comptroller and Auditor General is nominated by the Dáil for appointment by the President. What process is being put in place to make a new appointment or to bring a proposal to the House for the nomination of a new Comptroller and Auditor General? Will there be consultation with the Opposition parties on this matter, what are the plans and will there be an opportunity, through the Whips, for the House to pay tribute to the good work of the outgoing Comptroller and Auditor General?

The second issue I want to raise is in regard to promised legislation. The two Green Ministers, who were with us momentarily, seem to have left the House again.

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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One of them is still here.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I want to raise the promise made by the Minister, Deputy Gormley, at the Irish Planning Institute conference last week, where he told us that there will be new legislation to tap into the windfall gains being made by landowners and property developers.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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He is in for a shock.

Deputies:

He can dream on.

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

Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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The Minister, Deputy O'Dea, probably prompted him.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Given what the Taoiseach had to say earlier about his long-standing views on property development, land development and so on, first, will he confirm that this legislation will be introduced, second, in what Bill on the legislative list will it be contained or will there be a new Bill to provide for this and, most importantly, how soon can we expect the Bill?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Will it deal with property windfall taxes?

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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The windfall profits are all in there.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Taoiseach knows, for years it was impossible to get a taxi in Dublin.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Against a great deal of opposition, policy was finally changed and it is now occasionally possible to get a taxi. No sooner has that happened, however, but moves are afoot to put a cap on the number of taxis in Dublin. I need not tell the Taoiseach that it is perverse that this should be gaining legs at this time. It is a small example of just how disjointed and directionless transport policy is in Dublin.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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To what legislation does this refer?

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Legislation has been long promised and we have been long told it is imminent.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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There is a taxi regulator.

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Has anybody any urgency with regard to the Dublin transportation authority Bill? There is no sense of urgency with regard to transport because there are so many competing interests, but does anybody in government realise just what is happening to this city? Nobody is in charge of transport.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach should reply on the legislation.

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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That answers the question.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call Deputy Durkan.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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My colleague, Deputy Seán Barrett——

Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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No legislation. When will the Bill on the Dublin transportation authority be taken?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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My colleague, Deputy Seán Barrett, mentioned on television the other evening that during——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is not a matter.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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This is a matter.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is not a matter on the Order of Business.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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This one is. During the five years that he was voluntarily outside this House he noticed that the general public was not engaged with the proceedings of the House. He is correct. The Ceann Comhairle will agree that the reason that is happening is because this House cannot or will not or does not react to the pressing issues that arise. The Taoiseach and the Tánaiste——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not in order.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I refer to promised legislation.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should proceed and tell me to what legislation he refers.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The issue which the whole country is talking about currently is the administration of justice, criminality and law and order.

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

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Several Members raised this issue today already. Which legislation can the Taoiseach recommend to his successor? The Tánaiste indicated last week that he did not know why I was raising this issue every day. The reason is the public is concerned about it. Which legislation from the list outlined on the pink document is likely to address the issue of criminality in this country at present whereby we have gone from zero——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not in order.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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——tolerance to tolerating anything?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is not in order. To which legislation does the Deputy refer? He cannot have a multiple choice question.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the criminal justice (forensic sampling and evidence) Bill. It is on the pink paper with another five or six pieces of legislation. Will the Taoiseach please ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform or somebody to introduce in the House the measures that will combat the kind of terrorism we see in the country at present, as we need them urgently?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach to reply on the legislation mentioned.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has acquired the appropriate number of country signatories for ratification into law. When does Ireland, which played a significant part in preparing the convention, propose to ratify it?

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I listened with interest to the Taoiseach say what he believes, namely, that services will not be removed until better services are put in place. What is happening in Monaghan——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot go into what is happening in Monaghan. We cannot do it.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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——is simply this——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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No, we cannot do that. The Deputy is out of order.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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——people will die——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Crawford is out of order.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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——as a result of what is happening at present.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Crawford must ask a question on the Order of Business.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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All we want is the truth and the truth is not being provided.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is completely out of order. Does he wish to ask a question on the Order of Business?

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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When will the health information Bill be introduced in the House——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach to reply on the health information Bill.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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——so we can be given the truth——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is it. The question is over now. On the health information Bill——

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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——on a legal basis?

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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What about the patients in the meantime?

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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A Cheann Comhairle, I express my regret that once again a request under Standing Order 32 has not been deemed acceptable by you, having regard to the fact that, according to the Chair, these matters are not considered either urgent or important——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot rake over old coals.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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——enough to facilitate debate.

I refer to the matter of promised legislation, in particular No. 8 under the remit of criminal justice, as indicated by the Taoiseach a moment ago in response to Deputy Durkan. I ask the Taoiseach in regard to the criminal justice miscellaneous provisions Bill, which has been on the pink sheet for some time, to ensure that not only will this legislation come forward as a matter of urgency but that it will include appropriate provisions, as promised by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Taoiseach himself, to deal with improved legislative provisions on the matter of electronic surveillance——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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As the Deputy well knows we cannot discuss the contents of a Bill.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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——bugging, monitoring and sitting on those who are involved in criminality to ensure we can bring those gang leaders and gang bosses to justice at the earliest opportunity.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy has much experience and he knows we cannot go into that. When will the legislation be introduced?

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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To give assistance on that matter, a Cheann Comhairle, I very much appreciate the information given by the Taoiseach on the United Nations Convention against Corruption. The convention to which I referred this afternoon is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. I acknowledge that Ireland has played a role in drafting the convention but it is very important that we indicate that we intend to ratify that convention if we are to have framework legislation giving rights to people with disabilities.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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When the Minister of State, Deputy Sargent, was in Opposition he asked the Taoiseach about the foreshore (coastal management) Bill perhaps 100 times. It seems almost centuries ago since he was in Opposition.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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It might be centuries before he is back.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Is there any chance of that Bill coming forward?

Just before the baton passes from Drumcondra to Tullamore, I draw the Taoiseach's attention to the grave concerns of the Stardust committee, an important committee on the north side of Dublin, regarding the inquiry which he permitted to be established approximately six to nine months ago. Is it possible for him to satisfy the committee regarding its concerns and to get back to me on the matter?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach to reply on the legislation.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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What is the situation regarding proposed legislation on management companies? I raised this issue with the Taoiseach on a number of occasions. Many householders have bought apartments and houses in managed complexes and they are facing very high charges. There are many legal unknowns——

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Hear, hear.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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——which people find exceptionally difficult to deal with. Some months ago the Taoiseach informed me there was a Government committee chaired or at least initiated by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Has that committee reported? The Taoiseach indicated that the ramifications of this were far broader than had at first been appreciated by Government but in the meantime, many householders face enormous difficulties.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot go into that now.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Taoiseach spoke earlier about the downturn in the construction industry. Legal difficulties——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach to reply on the legislation. We have to leave it at that.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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——will arise for people selling properties in these managed complexes.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot go into that now.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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When can we expect the property services management regulatory Bill?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach to reply on the legislation.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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As we speak, a crisis exists in University College Hospital, Galway, where 44 persons are on trolleys in the accident and emergency department.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy cannot raise that issue because it is not in order.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Can I ask a question about No. 10 on the A list which is a health Bill to provide for a new scheme for financial support for persons requiring health care? Will the Taoiseach instruct the Minister for Health and Children to lift the embargo on the recruitment of nursing staff in hospitals?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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No, that is out of order. The Taoiseach to reply on the legislation.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Can I ask the Taoiseach to clear up some of the confusion that prevails between two senior Ministers and the chair of the Health Service Executive, Professor Drumm, in regard to health——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Order of Business is not about clearing up confusion between Ministers.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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——services in the north east? There is nowhere to raise this matter. If I cannot raise it here where do I raise it?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy can raise it outside somewhere because it is not in order here.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Hang on a second, a Cheann Comhairle.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Go on.

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Whatever it is for, it is not for clearing up confusion.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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This is the most important issue facing people in four counties, namely, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Stop that.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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There is total confusion on the Government benches in regard to the matter.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy knows I cannot deal with that now.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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We need clarification——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Morgan is aware of that.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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——as to which of them is speaking the truth and which of them is telling fibs.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot discuss all of that now. Deputy Kehoe is next.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Are we going to get an answer on this?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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No. It is not in order.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I raised this issue many times under Standing Order 32 and we have never had an opportunity to debate it in the House.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy can raise the issue on the Adjournment.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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We need to have a debate on the matter.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy can raise the matter on the Adjournment.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Do not bother with the debate; the Ceann Comhairle can just allow the Taoiseach to reply to us regarding what is going on to sort out this issue.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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No, because every Member would be at the same thing. We cannot have that. It is out of order. I call Deputy Kehoe. I am sorry but I must call Deputy Kehoe.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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A Cheann Comhairle——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Taoiseach answered questions on those matters during Leaders' Questions. I call Deputy Kehoe.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The Taoiseach almost appears to be offering. The Ceann Comhairle should not protect him. On a point of order——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is no point of order.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Of course, there is. Is the Taoiseach planning to introduce legislation to remove the confusion among two Ministers and the head of the HSE, Professor Brendan Drumm? Will legislation be introduced to clarify the matter, given that health services are continuing to be withdrawn at Louth Hospital, Monaghan Hospital and Our Lady's Hospital, Navan?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I must call Deputy Kehoe.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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It is a question on legislation.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is being unfair to other Members.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Ceann Comhairle get the Taoiseach to answer that question, please?

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy should have been in the House during Leaders' Questions when the Taoiseach answered questions on the issue.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The question is on legislation and I ask the Taoiseach to answer it.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy is not serious that there is legislation to remove confusion.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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The confusion is on the other side of the House. Ministers have been saying totally different things, while the head of the HSE has said something else, yet the Ceann Comhairle is accusing me of causing confusion. He needs to get this matter sorted out now. The best course of action is to have the Taoiseach clear it up in the House before we go any further.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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When the Deputy talks to himself, he gets confused. He is a one-stop shop in confusion.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I ask the Ceann Comhairle to give the Taoiseach an opportunity to clear up this matter once and for all. Will he, please, give the Taoiseach an opportunity to clarify this very important matter for the people of the north east?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We are in the unfortunate position that I will shortly have to ask the Deputy to leave the House if he continues.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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It would not exactly terrify me if the Ceann Comhairle were to do that.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am sure.

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Kick him out.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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However, I would prefer to stay in the House and hear what the Taoiseach has to say.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am afraid the Deputy will have to leave the House.

Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I am extremely disappointed that I am not being given clarification. I do not know what the bloody hell is the point of being here when we cannot get an explanation.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy must leave the House.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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On a point of order——

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Minister wishes to reply.

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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A red cent to a red face.

Deputy Morgan withdrew from the Chamber.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The sale of alcohol to under-age young people is an increasing problem which has been raised with me on a number of occasions during meetings with youth groups and organisations. Under the Taoiseach's watch, little has been done to combat this major problem. What legislation is the Government willing to introduce to try to curb this serious problem?

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to raise two issues. When I asked the Taoiseach about the health (long-term care residential services) Bill last week, he said it would be taken this session. However, when I asked about the same legislation before Easter, I was told it would be taken during that session. People are hanging on by their fingertips and running out of funds trying to pay the cost of nursing homes. I asked last week whether an interim measure would be introduced. Will the Taoiseach give a definitive estimate as to when the Bill will come before the House? He has informed the House that major legal issues have arisen but we have not been given an understanding as to when the Bill will finally come to fruition.

On the property services regulatory authority Bill, does the Taoiseach have plans to introduce legislation to close the stamp duty loophole which allows developers to avoid paying €250 million in stamp duty?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The final question is not in order. I call Deputy Jan O'Sullivan on the health legislation.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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May I have an answer on the nursing home Bill?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Yes, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan will first ask a question on the same legislation.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Given that I indicated at the same time as Deputy Burton, I am not sure of the reason I am being called now.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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My apologies.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Will the Taoiseach clarify whether the problem with the legislation is legal or constitutional? Did it arise from the issue of the lien on the family home after the death of a person? Will he give an undertaking that the funding allocated in anticipation of the legislation being introduced on 1 January will be ring-fenced for those families who have hit hard times due to paying for the cost of nursing home care for their relatives?

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Are they legal rather than constitutional issues?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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On two Bills in the pink document allegedly to be taken this session, will the Taoiseach indicate if it is anticipated they will be published this month or next month? I ask because the two Bills in question have been around for many years. The first would provide for the establishment of a DNA database. I recall that when the Ceann Comhairle was Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform he announced, in a great fanfare of publicity, that the legislation was about to be published. That was eight years ago. When will we see the legislation? The provision of a DNA database is a necessity and Ireland stands out in Europe in not having such a database. The second Bill is the adoption Bill to implement the Hague Convention on Foreign Adoptions. This legislation had, to my best recollection, been promised for six years. Will the Taoiseach indicate in what month these Bills will be published and whether the House will have an opportunity during this session and before the summer vacation to debate them on Second Stage?

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The other Bill is the criminal justice (forensic sampling and evidence) Bill, the purpose of which is to establish a DNA database.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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In that case, it is unlikely we will have Second Stage debates on either Bill this side of the summer.

Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Taoiseach will be aware of an announcement by the Minister for Education and Science to establish in west Dublin by September three new primary schools under the patronage, control and governance of County Dublin Vocational Education Committee. All of us welcome this step as providing a new model of primary education. When are we likely to see the education (patronage) Bill? I understand the heads of the Bill have yet to be agreed by the Government. How is it possible to establish legal certainty for the schools and have them up and running by September when the Bill is not yet published and will not be passed by the Houses before the September deadline?