The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources confirmed yesterday that there will be a new universal broadcasting tax which will apply to people irrespective of whether they own televisions. When can we expect to see the Broadcasting Bill and the legislation to replace the licence fee and give effect to this new tax? Could the Government provide details of the issues surrounding that legislation to the House?

When will the implementation plan for the national disability strategy be published? Given all that has happened and the litany of attacks on people with disabilities, it is clear that coherence is required and some strategic approach to dealing with people with special needs and disabilities is urgently required from the Government.

I agree with the Deputy's last comment. As I said to Deputy Mattie McGrath, that is expected to be published tomorrow.

That is too late for the mobility allowance.

It will set out very clearly how services should be provided in the future with much greater impact and to the benefit to those who receive these allowances. It will not be like what went on in the past as Deputy Martin will be aware.

So the Government is going to cut them. The Taoiseach should acknowledge that what went on in the past ten years was good for disability.

Thank you, Deputy Martin. Can we listen to the answers?

The Taoiseach's predecessor, Brian Cowen, was quite effective in this regard.

Deputy Martin sat over here on this side of the House and refused to do anything about a scheme that was blatantly illegal.

Brian Cowen was the first Minister for Health and Children to bring any improvements to people with disabilities. If the Taoiseach had any generosity in him, he would acknowledge that and stop playing politics all the time.

He stood by those with disabilities.

That is Deputy Martin's record. He said he would stand by his record.

We are on the Order of Business. Would Deputy Martin please cool down and stop getting himself upset?

Does Deputy Martin stand by his record? His record was one of refusing to recognise the facts and to deal with the truth.

Brian Cowen was the first Minister for Health and Children to be acknowledged by people with disabilities to have made improvements for them. The Taoiseach, however, continues to undermine this every day.

I remind Deputy Martin that there is a thing called respect for the Chair, whoever is in it.

There is indeed.

Would he please adhere to the rules of the Chair? If he asks a question, would he allow for an answer? He might not like the content of the answer but that is the fact.

The information plan will be published tomorrow. The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has not brought his recommendations for changes in technology and requirements to deal with broadcasting before the Government yet. I will come back to Deputy Martin with an update as to when the Minister might expect to do that.