I note the change in the schedule. The Dáil is coming back a week earlier then had originally been planned. Will the Tánaiste indicate whether it is intended to move the writs for the two by-elections on 30 April or thereabouts?

I wish to ask the Tánaiste about the legislation on water charges. Can the Tánaiste give me an approximate date when it might be published? It is important that it is published before the European and local elections so people will be in a position to make an informed judgment about it when they are casting their votes.

Is there a possibility that the Government will be in a position to publish it before 23 May?

As the Deputy stated, the House will return on 30 April, the week after Easter. There is no justification for the House adjourning for a week longer. The public would find it difficult to understand why the House-----

The Government scheduled it wrong.

-----would not return until May.

The Government is safer here than outside.

The water charges legislation has been enacted. Regarding the possibility of by-elections, in fairness, the cause giving rise to those was recent. As a matter of decency, it would not be appropriate to discuss the holding of by-elections at this early stage.