In the legislative programme, the Health (Amendment) Bill, which is before the Seanad, is listed as providing for "the extending of a publicly funded GP service without fees". The Bill was published late last Friday and is being debated in the Seanad this week. However, there is no section to deal with free GP care and there is no explanation of that. Why is that the case? Can we expect an amendment to include the legislative commitment in the programme for Government when the Bill comes to this House or will there be a separate Bill to deal with free GP care? If the latter, when can we expect that Bill to be published?

The programme for Government also promises to introduce a new patient safety authority. I do not understand why there is a need for one given that the Health Information and Quality Authority is probably emerging and developing an excellent reputation for its work. None the less that is a clear commitment in the programme for Government. When is the legislation providing for that authority expected to come before the House?

I do not have an indication of a date on the second issue of the patient safety authority, but I will ask the Minister to revert to the Deputy on it. The Deputy is correct in what he said about the Health (Amendment) Bill. The section on the provision of free GP care was taken out of that Bill deliberately because it will be introduced in separate legislation as opposed to through amendment. I expect we should see that Bill before the end of the year.

Did the Minister say the end of the year?

That is the indication I have - before the end of the year.

The Minister of State, Deputy White, gave the commitment that he would have it by the end of this session if I am not mistaken. I refer to the commitment on the extension of GP cover for those with long-term illnesses, for example. That was resiled from, but the Minister of State promised he would have legislative proposals on that before the end of this session. Is the Minister now saying it has gone back to the next session?

I am saying we are actively working on it. I understand advice is being sought from the Office of the Attorney General because it is complex legislation. However, we will bring that forward as soon as we can. There is no intentional delay here.

It is back to the Attorney General again.

This is a question of getting it right, but I expect the Deputy will see it early in the autumn.