Enda Kenny
Ceist:198 Mr. Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her Department's legislative programme for the remainder of 2002; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14398/02]
Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.
I have a substantial programme of legislation reflecting the broad spectrum of my departmental responsibilities which I propose to progress over the coming months with the continuing co-operation of the Houses and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government.
The following published Bills are currently at various stages before the Houses: the Whistleblowers Protection Bill, 1999 and the Patents (Amendment) Bill, 1999. I also wish to progress a number of Bills not yet before the Houses and where the Government has approved draft heads. These are the Companies (Audit and Accountancy) Bill, the Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Bill, the Employment Permits Bill, the Industrial and Provident Societies (Amendment) Bill and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Bill. Government has recently approved the drafting of the general scheme of the Bill to consolidate company law Acts and regulations and give effect to the recommendations of the first report of the company law review group.
Approval to draft heads of a Bill on protection of employees on fixed term contracts will be sought in the near future. I will also be progressing a programme of secondary legislation, including the transposition of EU directives over the coming months.