Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

Will the Deputy Leader seek clarification on yesterday's announcement by the Minister for Health and Children of the establishment of a new quango for health funding? It is a source of concern and I would like to know the basis for the Minister proceeding with this proposal. I am aware that a number of structures are in place. When we set up the Health Service Executive I understood it would be the body for implementation and the Department and the Minister would look after policy. Now after the Minister has been in office for so many years she needs another body to advise her on funding. I am deeply concerned and cannot fathom it. Especially at a time of merging agencies rather than setting up new ones, this seems to go against the grain.

Today is the United Nations World Autism Awareness Day. Initiatives are taking place around the globe, which I very much welcome. With the co-operation of this House there will be a release of balloons outside Leinster House as there will be outside the UN offices. There will also be a briefing in the audiovisual room, which I understand has been organised on an all-party basis and in which I would encourage all Members to participate. I congratulate the Irish Society for Autism on its endeavours in this regard.

I have heard my colleagues mention issues relating to social welfare. In some cases responsible people are denied a payment when other people are granted a payment. This happens in two areas, one where a person gets a lump sum of money, is responsible with it and invests it wisely whereas somebody else might squander it. The person who squanders it gets the payment but the person who invests the lump sum is denied the payment. Equally a 19 or 20 year old who stays at home is denied a social welfare payment but if he or she moves into a flat or apartment he or she would be given a payment in addition to assistance for energy bills and rent, and many other supplements, which seems crazy.

Will the Deputy Leader get some information on what I understand to be a new culture of carrying knife-like weapons. Is there any particular element in society that is carrying these types of weapons?