Has the Minister any plans to link up with his colleague, the Minister for Health, in relation to those people who default on payment so that they will not be able to achieve the full benefits on the health end while they default on their contribution to the system?

One of the changes which went through last year is the combined collection of health, PRSI and tax, and that will be very effective. In fact, it is already having an effect. It will also facilitate greatly the pursuit of people through the courts because you can take three in one, so to speak. Previously we had to go separately and the amounts we would be looking for might be very small compared with what the Revenue Commissioners would be seeking on the tax side. Consequently, our side or the health side would be left way behind. Now they will all be dealt with as one and that will greatly increase the efficiency of that collection.

I want to make some worthwhile progress on other questions and I am sure I will have your co-operation. Up to now progress has been rather slow.