Alex White (Labour)

I agree entirely with what has been said in respect of the price of cigarettes. Clearly there is a compelling argument that only a significant increase as pointed out by the Irish Cancer Society would encourage smokers to quit and discourage young people in particular from starting. That should certainly be addressed in the budget.

Will the Leader clarify for the House either today or some time soon the thinking of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in respect of his revival, as it has been described, of the Privacy Bill? His predecessor, the Minister, Deputy Brian Lenihan, indicated that this Bill would not be proceeded with unless and until the new mechanism set up under the Press Ombudsman or the Press Council would be given an opportunity to work. They made their report yesterday and, while the Minister attended the launch of that report, he said he was going to revive the Privacy Bill. However, precisely the opposite was said by his predecessor, namely, that this Bill would not be brought forward and that opportunity and space would be given to the Press Council and the Press Ombudsman to do their work. What exactly is going on in this regard?