asked the Minister for Health when legislation on the new health services will be introduced.
45.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Health Services Legislation.
44.
asked the Minister for Health if, having regard to widespread disappointment at the delay in introducing legislation to bring about substantial improvements in the health services, he will now say when such legislation will be introduced.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 44 and 45 together.
This legislation will be introduced in the present session. The Bill will be available for consideration in the next session.
Before Christmas?
Yes.
Can the Minister indicate why it has taken a Fianna Fáil Government seven years to introduce even the preliminary proposals in relation to a new health policy?
I hope the Deputy will be here to give a hand when the Bill is being discussed in the next session.
I could not hear what the Minister said in reply but if he said that he was concerned that I should be here I can assure him that I will be here.
I am glad to hear it.
Has the fact that the Fianna Fáil Government are quite obviously going out before or during the next session anything to do with the fact that they are now going to produce a health policy? Is there a corollary between this and 1963?