Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is proposed to take No. 24, statements on the HSE document, Framework for the Development of a Diabetic Retinopathy Screening Programme for Ireland; and No. 25, statements on the Deloitte report, Cost and Efficiency Review of Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann.

It is proposed, notwithstanding anything in Standing Orders, that the proceedings on No. 24 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 1.30 p.m. today 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 and the statement 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 be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed ten minutes; the proceedings on No. 25 shall, if not previously concluded, be brought to a conclusion at 3.30 p.m. today 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 and the statement 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 be called upon to make a statement in reply which shall not exceed ten minutes.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There are two proposals to be put to the House today. Is the proposal for dealing with No. 24 agreed to?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I do not agree with the Order of Business. There is no sense of realism from this Government in the context of the current economic circumstances. I propose that we set aside Nos. 24 and 25, important though they are, and discuss the grave and escalating situation in the banking sector and the general state of our public finances. Given the imposition of a selective, biased and unfair pension levy, every State office in the country is being picketed today, including the national Parliament, Dáil Éireann. Everybody has the right to protest. However, the point I made yesterday was that the way the Government has approached the hole in our public finances has been selective, unfair and removed from reality. That is the reason people are outside the gates of this establishment today. I propose, therefore, that we set aside Nos. 24 and 25 and that the House discuss the continuing and escalating economic crisis.

While I am on my feet, I will point out that it is not within the personality of the Taoiseach to accept any constructive suggestion from any member of the Opposition. I will say to the Tánaiste——

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

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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All right. I will come back to it.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I agree with Deputy Kenny about setting aside the business ordered for today. There is an air of unreality about the business the Government has scheduled for the House to discuss. All public and State offices in the country, including these Houses, are being picketed by members of the Civil and Public Services Union. Every social welfare office in the country is closed. This House, instead of discussing the items scheduled for today, needs to discuss the serious economic circumstances the country is in. The Government has had its lap-dogs out over the past week or so asking why the Opposition does not stay quiet and support the Government and why we cannot all get together and agree these things.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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That is right.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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This forum is where we agree things. This party has been saying to the Government for some time now that we want to reach agreement on an economic strategy to move this country forward. Last week I said to the Taoiseach, specifically on the issue of jobs, that if the Government introduces a strategy for protecting and creating jobs it will have the support of the Labour Party. We want an open discussion led by the Government and contributed to by the Opposition to address the economic situation, the jobs crisis and the sense of unfairness and hurt felt by all those staff of the State's services standing on picket lines today and to find solutions to the problems we face. Unfortunately, the Government is not responding.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Only brief comments are allowed on the Order of Business.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Yesterday, instead of being agreeable to entering discussions on the issues causing grief, the Taoiseach stated the time was not appropriate for discussions with the trade unions. The reality is that the economic problems facing the country will not be solved in the absence of agreement. Unfortunately, we are in a situation where the Government repeatedly comes into the House to insist on doing things its own way and then spins the line that it cannot get the agreement of the Opposition.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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If it came up with a few ideas, we would have something to discuss.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Order of Business——

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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We produce more ideas in one day than the Government does in 12 years.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Please allow the Tánaiste to continue without interruption.

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Platitudes.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Minister's bright idea was using electronic voting machines.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The business ordered for today was set aside previously at the request of the Opposition. We have been asked to facilitate other debates but, unfortunately, people are not available to meet these requests.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Rubbish.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Absolute rubbish.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is disingenuous of the Opposition to ask us to change the Order of Business.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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You are the ones being childish.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Please allow the Tánaiste to continue.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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We have spent the past two days debating the economy. There was a further request on the Order of Business to arrange debates on these matters on the basis that they had been previously deferred.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We would be happy to meet tomorrow or Monday instead.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Therefore, we are not agreeing to a change to the Order of Business.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Is the proposal for dealing with No. 25 agreed? Agreed. I call Deputy Kenny on the Order of Business.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The position we are in is that the Government apparently has no sense of reality in terms of the scale of the situation we are facing.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Kenny cannot discuss that matter on the Order of Business. Provision is not made for Leaders' Questions on Thursday mornings.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Ceann Comhairle has not given me an opportunity to ask about legislation, promised or otherwise.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Kenny knows the rules.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Perhaps the Ceann Comhairle will allow me to make my point.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I have no problem with that provided the Deputy's point is in order.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Thank you. We are facing a range of problems in this country. Deputy Catherine Byrne spoke earlier of the loss of three teachers at the Mater Dei national school in Basin Lane, a DEIS school, owing to the €20 billion hole in our public finances.

I say to the Tánaiste, in respect of the legislation dealing with these matters, that the Taoiseach does not have it within his personality to accept any constructive suggestions from the Opposition. I have spoken to the Minister for Finance on a number of occasions and I recognise the gravity of the banking crisis and that our financial independence is at stake. Will the Tánaiste confirm if the Government gave its view on the appointment of the new chief executive of the Bank of Ireland? I do not know the person involved but an internal appointment does not send out the right message.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Kenny must ask questions relevant to the Order of Business.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I will sit down after I make my next point.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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It is unfortunate that provision is not made for Leaders' Questions on Thursday mornings. I must implement the rules of the House.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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That is the fault of the Taoiseach who will not come into the House on Thursdays.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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There are no Leaders' answers on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I do not know whose fault it is; I am only implementing Standing Orders as presented to me.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is most certainly not the Ceann Comhairle's fault. The Ceann Comhairle is not culpable in this regard.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I am not.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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If the Taoiseach saw fit to come in here on Thursday mornings, we could tease out these matters. However, he does not. In any event, I make the following offer to the Tánaiste as deputy head of Government and a senior economic Minister. I am prepared to supply financial spokespeople from the Fine Gael Party to participate in an all-party group which will set out clear regulation, a clear mandate and strategy, provide for no deals and ensure proper oversight in the banking sector if the Government is prepared to participate in such a group.

Any offer we have made in respect of the national jersey or bipartisanship——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Kenny will have to raise that issue with the Taoiseach next week.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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——has been rejected and spurned by the Government.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Kenny will have to raise the matter during Leaders' Questions next week.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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It might be more timely now.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Will the Tánaiste consider my suggestion——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I must ask Deputy Kenny to remain in order.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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——and give me a response on behalf of Government?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot discuss that matter now. I call Deputy Gilmore.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I do not mean an all-party committee; I mean an all-party grouping——

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

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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——that could set out clear guidelines for the oversight and regulation of the banking sector, which is our responsibility.

Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy tore up the jersey last weekend.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy never wore the jersey in the first place.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy has never worn the jersey.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Not a white one anyway.

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

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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This country is in the most serious economic situation in which it has ever been since the foundation of the State. Last Sunday the Tánaiste in an interview with a Sunday newspaper——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy must stay in order.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I am in order.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I must be consistent. I cannot have a situation here on a Thursday morning where it is around the house and behind the dresser. It is not on. The Deputy must stay in order.

Deputies:

Of course, it is Lent.

Deputies:

We may as well close down and go home altogether.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Last Sunday the Tánaiste gave an interview to a Sunday newspaper in which she described some of the measures in the Government's budget in October as a disaster. Will the Tánaiste say if the Government has any plans to introduce a new budget, given that she, as deputy leader of the Government, considers the last budget to be a disaster, given that the budgetary figures since the last budget are completely different and given the entirely different and worsening financial circumstances in which the country now finds itself to that in which it was in October?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I call the Tánaiste to answer on plans to introduce a new budget.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There is no legislation promised to introduce a new budget.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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That is not an answer to the question.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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We passed the legislation on the banking sector.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Tánaiste should answer the question.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I can only implement the regulations before me, as Deputy Gilmore is aware.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Government passed legislation on the banking sector, but the Tánaiste has now rejected an offer of participating in an all party——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Let us not get involved in that now please.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Will the Tánaiste say if I am correct to state as much?

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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She says one thing out there and another thing in here.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I wish to clarify that.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Will Deputy Gilmore please try to stay in order. I must ensure the House proceeds in an orderly fashion. If I start allowing questions and so on that are not in order the whole place and the whole system will break down. I cannot allow it.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I seek clarification from the Tánaiste and the deputy head of Government that she is rejecting an offer of support with definitive, clear guidelines.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I can only implement the rules. If the Members wish to change the rules, please do so. It would make life a good deal easier for me.

Deputies:

That is hypocrisy, like that which we heard last night.

Deputies:

Deputy Kenny is not in order.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I seek clarification from the Tánaiste, please.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Gilmore is in order at this stage. I can call Deputy Kenny again.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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This is a matter of great importance. It is about our financial independence.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Gilmore is in possession at this stage.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I seek clarification of what the Tánaiste just said. Is she rejecting the offer?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We can suspend the House, but I have no wish to do so.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Tánaiste has rejected the offer.

Deputies:

The Ceann Comhairle might as well.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy may ask a question which is in order.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I need an answer to the question.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Gilmore is in order and I will call on Deputy Kenny later. Deputy Gilmore is in order and it is his turn.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It is a one word answer I need to hear, either "Yes" or "No".

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I asked the Tánaiste.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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What is the answer?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Let Deputy Gilmore finish his point, please.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I asked the Tánaiste a question which, I believe, is in order. That is the question as to whether the Government intends to introduce another budget and when it intends to do so. I ask the question first, because it is manifestly clear that the budget introduced in October no longer applies and that the Tánaiste described some of the measures in it as a disaster.

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

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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We are aware that the budgetary figures are different. The Labour Party stands ready and willing to engage with the Government if the Government intends to introduce a new budget. However, we have not——

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

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I seek an answer to the question.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy seeks an answer to the question. Is a new budget promised or not?

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Will we have a new budget, and if so, when?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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No.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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"No" is the answer. I call Deputy Crawford.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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No.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Tánaiste said "No".

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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There will be no new budget.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is what the Tánaiste said.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Not until after the local elections.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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It is a very difficult word to understand. The Deputy should try to get real.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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The Tánaiste left Agriculture House in a mess and then she made a mess of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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With respect to the Chair, I wish to put a question to the Tánaiste. I seek clarification as to whether she would accept an offer of support in respect of setting out clear regulations and guidelines about the banking sector, given that we have a very grave situation. I seek a "Yes" or "No" answer.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy must raise that matter with the Taoiseach on Leaders' Questions next week. There are no Leaders' Questions today. I call Deputy Crawford.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Can the Tánaiste be helpful to move this on?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I can be more than helpful, as long as I am allowed to go out of order. On that issue, it is bizarre that the Opposition is offering to facilitate the Government when every time the Government asks the Opposition to facilitate it, the Opposition is not forthcoming.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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We have been listening to this rubbish day and night.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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That being said, it is a very grave and difficult situation. We are all aware of that and that is why we should not be playing politics with it.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Hear, hear.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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If there are forthcoming suggestions, the Government will listen. The Taoiseach has indicated ad infinitum that he is more than happy to facilitate it.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Tánaiste heard the Taoiseach's remarks yesterday.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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When we discuss issues of regulatory reform, the Government will put forward proposals on those issues.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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It rejected a nine point plan last night.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Minister for Finance will bring forth new regulatory frameworks and I am certain all Members of the House will have the opportunity to have an input in that and would welcome it.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Tánaiste said yesterday that the public finances were under control, but now says the situation is very grave.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Leave the recapitalisation until next week and all those points can be made then. I call Deputy Crawford.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Some three years ago——

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We know about Deputy Dempsey now.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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We know about Deputy Kenny.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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We know about Deputy Dempsey too.

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

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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We know what the Deputy was saying. We know of Deputy Dempsey's agenda.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I know Deputy Kenny's agenda.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I know Deputy Dempsey's agenda.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Side bar discussions are not allowed. I call Deputy Crawford.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Say it outside the House. The Deputy is saying one thing behind peoples' backs.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I cannot compete with the Minister.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Dempsey, please. In the name of goodness, let Deputy Crawford make his point.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is childish stuff.

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In light of the difficulties of many industries at present and the need for the simplification of the rules and regulations, when will the company law consolidation and reform Bill be introduced? In light of the fact that a group of young people were drinking all night in a park outside Monaghan last week, and one of the company, unfortunately, lost his life, when will the sale of alcohol Bill be introduced to ensure this type of situation can be minimised? When will the eligibility for health and personal social services Bill be introduced to guarantee services to the people who deserve them and not only to the HSE?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The company law reform Bill is very sizable legislation. The Department has appointed some additional support to bring forward the legislation as quickly as possible. However, as we have indicated, it will be some time before it is brought to finality. I will have an undertaking with the Chairman of the committee as to the way to move ahead in the discussion of the Bill. Regarding the sale of alcohol Bill, it will be the middle of this year and there is no date for the final legislation to which the Deputy referred.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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I refer to an OECD report, just published, on the employment situation in Ireland. The report makes recommendations concerning what training schemes and community employment schemes should be put in place. In light of the growing job losses and since it is relevant to the Department for which the Tánaiste is responsible, will she organise a debate on this report and on the pressing need to provide opportunities for the unemployed?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is no legislation promised. I presume it is a matter for the Whips.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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To be helpful, that report is part of an ongoing undertaking by the Department. If it is a matter for the Whips I would be more than forthcoming.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the minerals development Bill, the purpose of which, we are told, is to modernise and consolidate all mineral developments in the country. In view of the fact that Galmoy Mines has already closed and that the largest zinc ore mine in Europe, namely, Lisheen Mines in County Tipperary, is due to close in two years time, when will that Bill be introduced? Given that the Tánaiste's colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has made an unprecedented attack on agriculture, no doubt the hatchets and chainsaws will be out soon for the forestry sector.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is very interesting but it is not relevant now.

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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He threw money at them. That was a ferocious attack.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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When will the forestry (amendment) Bill be introduced?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The heads of the minerals development Bill were passed some time ago. It is expected to be introduced this year, but I understand it has taken some time to complete the work.

There is no time decided yet for the forestry Bill.

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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If the Government does not act soon all the mines will be closed.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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When is the Local Government Bill, to introduce a €200 charge for a non-principal private residence, coming before the House? I know that the Tánaiste is taking a personal interest in SR Technics on the north side of Dublin where 1,135 jobs are at stake. I hope she has some good news to report on attempts to find a new owner.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is another way to raise that issue which Deputy Terence Flanagan will have to use.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The heads of the Local Government Bill were passed on 10 February and it will be introduced if possible in this session.

I will speak privately to the Deputy on the other issue he raised.

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Health managers' budgets around the country are being stringently cut which will close wards, affect patient care and cut services. These budget cuts are far in excess of the figures we have seen in the media. In the past two days we have asked about having a debate on the health services. When will we have that debate? Can we get real information on the extent of the cuts in the context of that debate so that we can protect basic patient services?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Whips will discuss that and we hope to hold the debate next week if possible.

James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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There is a proposal to establish a single national inland fisheries authority to replace the Central Fisheries Board and the seven regional boards. When will the fisheries (amendment) Bill be brought before the House because people involved in the industry are concerned about the long delay in establishing this central authority?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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We hope to bring the heads of the Bill to Government fairly soon and to have the legislation available this year.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Deputies have asked about the legislation to control management companies on numerous occasions, including in the past few days. The Taoiseach has indicated that progress could be reported. Will the Tánaiste update the House on that progress and when we will see the heads of the Bill?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The heads have been drafted and we hope to introduce that legislation as quickly as possible. There is an important timeframe for us all within which to have that available.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Indeed, it is an important time for this Bill.

There has been a noticeable lack of information recently in the content of responses to parliamentary questions. This is not the fault of the Ceann Comhairle. It may be regarded as cute codgerism. It is a serious erosion of the parliamentary entitlements of the Opposition, and of democracy. Some Ministers are notorious for this.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy can get that raised at the Committee on Procedures and Privileges because I cannot have a discussion on it here.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Economies in responses are not acceptable.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I cannot have a discussion on this here.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Ceann Comhairle will enjoy my last question.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I did not enjoy the last one.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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This one is about promised legislation. I listened with interest while a chat show compère on the national broadcasting service this morning indicated that he had not heard the Opposition admonish Government about the way the economy was going in the past few years. I am glad to say that my colleague, Deputy Michael Ring, roundly rebutted this statement.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy will have to ask a question.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Apart from a FÁS course for those who were not watching and listening in recent years, there is appropriate legislation to transpose the EU directive on data retention which might be of some help to the compères who could not or did not listen to or hear what was going on for the past six or seven years. That legislation is No. 29 on the Government legislation programme. Will the Tánaiste indicate when the legislation will be brought in so that we can have a debate in order to enlighten people outside the House?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The subject matter of the legislation is far from what the Deputy seeks but it will be introduced in the middle of the year.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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It can be used very effectively for that purpose.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Will the Tánaiste clarify the Government's plans for the general hospitals throughout the State? This refers to No. 62 on the Government legislation programme, the eligibility for health and personal social services Bill. I am led to believe that the HSE plans to close between four and 12 hospitals across the country because of its budget deficit of €1 billion.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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It will be a photo finish.

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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The people of County Clare are concerned that Ennis General Hospital will be one of these. I need a clear statement on this from the Tánaiste.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy cannot get that. He can put that down as a matter on the Adjournment or as a question. The Tánaiste may reply on the legislation.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There is no date for that legislation.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I am sure that the Tánaiste is aware of the maternity hospitals report which suggests that the three hospitals move to new locations beside adult hospitals where all facilities will be available. When will the nurses and midwives Bill come into the House? Will it accommodate new changes, given that in the current financial climate it is most improbable that these moves will happen? These hospitals are bursting at the seams and are barely able to cope. The role of the midwife could be greatly enhanced. Does the Bill take account of that?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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There is a consultation period on the legislation which will be brought in later this year.

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The education patronage Bill still refers to the provision of primary education by vocational education committees and to empower them to act as patron of a primary school. Educate Together is not mentioned. We have brought this up time and again. When will the legislation come before the House and will it include provision for Educate Together, which has been educating children for the past 30 years and which President McAleese has praised highly?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The heads are coming to Government soon so the legislation will be ready later this year.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The legislation to give effect to the announcement by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government that he will cap the spending limits for local elections must be enacted a minimum of 60 days before the date of the local elections which means it must be enacted before the beginning of April. When will we see that legislation?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The Cabinet approved that legislation this week so it will work within the timeframe the Deputy mentioned.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I read recently about the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government's plans for the electronic voting machines. I have no doubt that the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Deputy Martin Cullen, who is sitting beside the Tánaiste is well aware of the money wasted on electronic voting machines. He spent €60 million on electronic voting machines and said it was "small change" in his time as the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy must ask a question.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Would he think the same way in these times?

Will the Tánaiste outline what plans the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Gormley, has for electronic voting machines? This is very important. A brief statement will do.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Kehoe must put down a question to the Minister about that and I am sure he will answer it.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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He is never here to answer questions.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy should put down a written question.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Earlier this morning the Tánaiste sought regulatory reform and insisted that she was willing to take on ideas from the Opposition. Will she, as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, deal with the regulation of communications? She is more aware than most that new jobs can be created in the digital sector but the environment needs to be right. If the Government persists with the broadcasting Bill it will unnecessarily establish yet another quango at a time when we need one regulator in the communications sector.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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This has been discussed.

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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The communications (amendment) regulation Bill refers. Will the Minister take this up with the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources? It makes no sense in this climate for us to pursue the setting up of a separate parallel organisation when we could have one regulator dealing with the technical side of communications and the cultural and content side.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The legislation is promised for later in the year and I have been in touch with the Minister to discuss several issues pertaining to the broadcasting Bill.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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On the basis that we are desperately trying to prevent unnecessary expenditure and save the taxpayer from unnecessary debt, I call on the Tánaiste to ask her junior colleague at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to ensure that Swissco pays its legally binding debts to its employees.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is not a hope we can go into that now.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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It should not fall to the taxpayer to make these payments.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The Ceann Comhairle should have another look at it.

Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Lynch can praise me any time she likes.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I would like to raise another issue.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The first one was a complete non-runner.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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God loves a trier.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I know all that.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I am trying to save us all from ourselves at this stage. Does the Tánaiste propose to negotiate with the people who are on strike today?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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No, that is not on.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Negotiation is needed if we are to ensure we do not do further damage to the economy.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot deal with that now, as the Deputy knows.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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If workers from a private company were on strike, we would be insisting that they go through the process.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is not a hope that I will allow this matter to be raised.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Why is the Tánaiste not engaging with these groups to ensure this does not happen again?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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The Deputy knows there is not a hope that it can be dealt with now.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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It is outrageous that we are not——

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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There is not a chance.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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——following the rules that we apply to others.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Lynch is well aware that there is another way of raising that matter. If she does that, we will try to ensure she gets to have her say.

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I am looking forward to the Tánaiste's visit to Shannon, County Clare, tomorrow morning. I hope she will have some good news in respect of Intel and Shannon Development. I ask the Ceann Comhairle to bear with me as I am about to ask about legislation. While she is in County Clare, perhaps the Tánaiste will take some time to visit Ennis General Hospital to see at first hand the excellent work that is being done by the staff there. This is a question of public health. There are rumours that four of the 12 general hospitals in the country are to be closed.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We cannot discuss rumours on the Order of Business.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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It would be useful for the Tánaiste to see at first hand the work being done in Ennis General Hospital.

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

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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She comes from a county that, like County Clare, has significant geographical disadvantages.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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If the Deputy does not ask a question that is in order, I will have to move on.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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I am asking about the public health (miscellaneous provisions) Bill.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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That is very tenuous, to be honest.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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There needs to be a focus on public health. Perhaps the Tánaiste will take some time off tomorrow to visit the hospital I have mentioned.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The heads of the Bill in question are expected shortly. I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen, and Deputy Dooley will look after me very well tomorrow.

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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The Tánaiste is the No. 2 in the country.

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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Deputy Breen will look after the Tánaiste as well.

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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It is great that they all love me so much.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Arising from Deputy Kehoe's question about electronic voting machines, when will an electoral commission be established, as promised in the programme for Government and as announced by the Minister inside and outside this House?

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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Consultation on that matter is ongoing. No final decision has been made.