From this morning’s Irish Independent, it seems the protection of maternal life Bill is circulating around the Government.

After 20 years.

This would seem to vindicate The Sunday Times report by Sarah McInerney from last Sunday, which, when I put it to the Taoiseach earlier this week he said he had no idea in the world from where it came. It now seems this Bill has been circulating in the Department of Health. I note and accept that the Ministers of State, Deputies Kathleen Lynch and White, are furious that it was suggested they had been consulted on this Bill. Will the Minister confirm this is the Bill that is circulating?

Not even Deputy Martin is that naïve.

What is Deputy Rabbitte suggesting?

The Minister should get back from Dublin Castle to the real world.

I see the new pope has taken on the mantle of Francis of Assisi. Deputy Martin can no longer go around pretending he is Francis of Assisi.

Will the Tánaiste confirm that this is the Bill which the Taoiseach referred to last week on the Order of Business? He said to me last week that the heads of the Bill in question would be circulated this week. This suggested it was well into its preparation, if not prepared. Is there work under way to produce a new or different Bill? Will he update and clarify the position on this Bill? Can we expect the heads of the Bill next week?

I am delighted to see Deputy Martin has taken up reading. It might encourage him to improve the quality of what he reads.

He was a great one for not reading reports when he was a Minister.

Some of the Tánaiste’s Ministers of State need a bit of help as well. It seems the Minister for Health is sharing nothing with anyone.

What about the stuff the Tánaiste was reading about 20 years ago?

Thank you, Deputies.

The heads of the Bill or the memorandum on it have not yet been circulated. I expect the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, to bring the heads of the Bill to the Government shortly. The Government intends to act after 20 years of no action on this difficult issue. Everyone knows this, as well as the fact, the preparation and content of the legislation requires care and attention. I expect the heads of the Bill will be before the Government shortly and the legislation published thereafter.