Four hospital chief executives, in an unprecedented move, have written to the chief executive of the Health Service Executive-----

The House dealt with that matter.

I am raising it in the context of legislation rather than as a means of highlighting, as my party leader did, the serious issue of people potentially dying as a result of a lack of safety in hospitals arising from cutbacks. The chief executives made a very serious charge. When will the patient safety authority Bill be published? The new authority will act in an advocacy role and will include the Health Information and Quality Authority. A commitment to this effect was given in the programme for Government.

It will be next year.

Next year will be too late.

Action should be taken quicker given the serious difficulties that have arisen. The HSE has been told that patients could die in four Dublin hospitals.

I have already answered questions on this matter from the leader of the Deputy's party and Deputy McDonald, on behalf of the Sinn Féin Party.

I will read the Taoiseach's replies with interest.