Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she intends publishing regulations regarding the proposed parliamentary questions unit within the HSE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4274/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The provisions of section 79 of the Health Act 2004 provide for the making by the Minister for Health and Children of regulations regarding the dealings between the Health Service Executive and Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas. It provides that these regulations will relate to the supply by the executive of specified documents or specified information to Members of either House of the Oireachtas; correspondence by the executive with those Members and such other matters considered appropriate by the Minister. I intend to bring forward the necessary regulations to bring section 79 into operation later this year.

The executive is already engaged in making arrangements to establish an administrative division with responsibility for parliamentary affairs. I understand that current preparations aim to have this division initially operational before the beginning of the next Oireachtas session, with further development taking place during the year.

Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 108: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the recent call made by a person (details supplied) that nurses who speak out in defence of vulnerable patients should be able to do so with legislative protection; if she intends to introduce any such legislative protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4235/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Regulation of the nursing and midwifery professions is the statutory responsibility of An Bord Altranais. The code of professional conduct for each nurse and midwife provides a framework to assist nurses to make professional decisions, to carry out their responsibilities and to promote high standards of professional conduct. Under the code, "any circumstance which could place patients/clients in jeopardy or which militate against safe standards of practice should be made known to appropriate persons or authorities". I have no specific plans at this stage to introduce legislation, as referred to by the Deputy, but I will keep this matter under review.