Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

One of the greatest crimes of which this Government is guilty is abuse of the English language, in phrases such as "shortly", "as quickly as possible", "imminently". We have all received replies containing these phrases and assume they refer to weeks or days yet months or years later we find ourselves waiting and realise we have been hoodwinked. While I accept the Minister of State's reply, I do not understand why timeframes cannot be set. Senator Ryan brought home how the Government is quick to demand money from people but will not pay it with the same speed.

It is important to specify time limits in legislation on this issue. I am sick of receiving replies from the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive using the words, "shortly", "soon" or "in the near future". Tabling matters on the Adjournment is a joke because we rarely get a straight answer.