In regard to the commitments made in the programme for Government on eliminating poverty traps, will the Taoiseach indicate when we can expect the legislation dealing with the proposal to tightly regulate moneylenders and debt collectors to be brought before the House? Also, in the programme for Government the Taoiseach said that the Government would divert staff from elsewhere in the public service to clear the social welfare appeals backlog and would introduce a consolidated appeals process. The situation with regard to social welfare appeals has got worse over the past year and a half. The situation is shocking and some people must wait 11 months before their appeals are heard. There is huge distress in this regard and people are in poverty because of the failure to progress appeals in a timely manner. The commitment in the programme for Government, in terms of diverting staff, has clearly not been implemented to a degree where it is having an impact on the waiting times for social welfare appeals. The delay is far too long and the length of time people must wait is disgraceful.

On page 23 of the programme for Government, the Taoiseach said that the household benefits packages would be put out to tender so that the Exchequer will benefit from reduced prices. Will the Taoiseach confirm that has not happened? Is it going to happen? Some household benefits were taken from pensioners last year, such as telephone and electricity benefits, which had quite a significant adverse impact on pensioners. This is the only change the Taoiseach has made with regard to household benefits. Why were these proposals included in the programme for Government when there is no indication they will ever see the light of day? What is the position on that particular commitment?

Unlike previous programmes for Government, this one will be implemented to the maximum, as far as possible.

Which one? Will the Taoiseach deal with the three commitments I raised?

The commitments will be implemented as far as possible. We have been caught with regard to the upward rent review issue, because of constitutional problems.

The issue of the upward rent review was a promise Fine Gael made in the election which was not delivered.

Yes, of course. Fianna Fáil made quite a few promises itself and did not live up to others when it had the chance.

Not on the same level as the Taoiseach. I did not do a Roscommon on it.

As far as I can recall, there is no specific legislation with regard to debt collectors, but there have been meetings with the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Finance on the matter. I suggest that Deputy Martin should get his spokesman to table a Topical Issue on the question of social welfare appeals. I do not have evidence on the numbers mentioned by the Deputy.

We have done that.

The same should apply in regard to the household package.

This is not about putting down a question. There is a commitment in the programme for Government -----

This is the order of Business.

Deputy Quinn is not the Chair and should not try to be the Chair. I asked a specific question. I am entitled under Standing Orders to ask on the Order of Business about the implementation of a commitment in the programme for Government. There is a commitment in the programme for Government to put household benefits out to tender. Is that going to happen or not? I am trying to get an answer from the Taoiseach on this.

The Deputy is entitled to ask the Taoiseach about legislation.

That is legislation. I am also entitled to ask about the programme for Government. What is the answer?

What legislation is the Deputy talking about?

I am talking about the programme for Government commitment. It states the household benefits package will be put out to tender so that the Exchequer benefits from reduced prices. I am entitled to an answer on that. Under Standing Orders and precedent I am entitled to ask about that. Will it be put out to tender?

What legislation is the Deputy talking about?

Is it going to be put to tender or not? The Taoiseach never answers questions.

The Order of Business is about legislation that has been promised and committed to. I am asking the Deputy what legislation he is talking about.

Where is the Deputy getting the promise of legislation from?

On precedent, any commitment in the programme for Government can be raised on the Order of Business. That has been the case in the Chair's time and anybody else's. That does not have to be written.

I have already suggested that the Deputy should get his spokesperson to submit some topical issues on social welfare appeals.

The Taoiseach is now demonstrating his lack of accountability to the House. This is being done on an ongoing basis.

The next time the Deputy comes back in to deal with the Ombudsman for Children, I hope he remembers that his spokesman welcomed this, but the Deputy did not ask for time on it, but he continues to waste the time of the Houses on something he has already accepted.