The programme for Government states: "We will seek a mechanism to compensate those women who were excluded on age grounds alone from the Lourdes Hospital Redress Scheme", yet no apparent action has been taken on this matter. I have raised it before and others have also raised it with the Taoiseach. The last time I raised it, I asked the Taoiseach to take a personal interest in this to bring it to a speedy conclusion. I am asking him again today to give us an update on the matter. Will he give a commitment to bring the matter to a speedy conclusion for the women who are waiting on the sidelines in the hope that something will happen?

I understand that these are all very important issues, but I am constrained by what is allowed and what is not. I try to be fair to everybody. However, I cannot allow a couple of Deputies to raise issues that are not in accordance with Standings Orders and then chop down others, as it were. I therefore ask Deputies to please respect the Chair. It is not that I do not think these are important issues but they will have to be raised in a different way.

It is in the programme for Government.

It may be in the programme for Government but it is not promised legislation.

I am sorry that I cannot give the Deputy an update now but I will come back to him today on it.