On 20 December last year, during the course of a debate on the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2012, the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, who was taking the Bill, stated:

the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform intends to bring forward legislation early in 2013 to ensure the modernisation of the senior management structures of the Oireachtas Service. These are specifically recognised in the Staff of the Houses of the Oireachtas Act 1959. It is accepted that the configuration in that Act, particularly in terms of senior management structures, needs to be modernised.

Of what legislation does Deputy Dooley speak?

The Minister of State put that on the record of the House and the expectation from this side of the House was that legislation would be brought forward early in the new year. We are into the second semester and there is nothing on the published list to state that this legislation is due to come. The Taoiseach will be aware that a senior position in the services of the House will become vacant later this year. The question would be whether that position will be filled under the 1959 Act or under the modernised Bill, which was promised at the time. At the time, we accepted that amending legislation would be brought forward and we expect that the Taoiseach will give us a commitment on that.

I was a little confused by Deputy Dooley's question. I thought he was referring to inquiries, the legislation on which is due shortly. The Bill in respect of the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission is scheduled for later this year.

I call Deputy Tom Fleming.

Will the position that is due to become vacant later this year be filled under the 1959 Act-----

I ask Deputy Dooley to resume his seat. We are not having a debate on it.

-----or under the new legislation?