Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I note the burial of Mrs. Erskine Childers is taking place today and send the sympathy of the House to her daughter who is currently an MEP.

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise the matter of the free legal aid scheme on the Adjournment last night and uncover facts such as that number of solicitors participating in the scheme had increased by 12% in 2009, that the payments to solicitors involved in District Court interventions had increased by 40% between 2005 and 2009 and that expenditure had increased from €40 million to €60 million in a very short period. When will the promised legislation be brought before the House because the Minister for Defence shared my concerns about a number of aspects of the scheme?

When will the legislation to ban the use of sunbeds by under 18 years olds be brought before the House? Such legislation has already been introduced in the North. The issue is regularly raised on the Adjournment.

I welcome the appointment of Mr. Owen Paterson as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whom I have met. I have often said it will be a better day when we do not have a Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Mr. Paterson had many aspirations and good ideas in his manifesto. However, this morning he seemed to back-pedal in terms of what could be done. I suggest he proceed with caution. The North is a highly dependent on state funds. Allowing freedom in tax matters might be the best thing to do, but he did not outline the other side of the coin that it would be linked with the removal of most of the block grant to the North. There are major issues for him to consider. It is important we be involved in working through the agenda, that we achieve progress and that the peace process continue.