I wish to inquire about three reports that are outstanding and also about the issue of discretionary medical cards. The Cooke report, with which the Taoiseach has dealt previously, relates to allegations of bugging at the offices of GSOC. I do not think it is good enough for a discussion on this report to be put off until next week. In recent days the Taoiseach returned from what, I presume, was a very gruelling trip to the United States at which point he read the Cooke report and digested its contents. There are those in this House who possess the same intellectual and technical capacity as the Taoiseach.

I am sure the Taoiseach did not collect as much money on his trip to the US as Deputy Adams did on his visits there in the past.

I am seeking that the Taoiseach set time aside at the earliest possible opportunity for a debate on this very serious issue.

The other reports to which I wish to refer are those compiled by Professor Oonagh Walsh and Judge Yvonne Murphy, respectively, in respect of symphysiotomy. Last July the Taoiseach informed the Dáil that the Walsh report was to be published soon after. In November Judge Murphy was appointed to carry out an examination into the horrific practice of symphysiotomy and her report was to be completed within eight weeks. Neither report has as yet been published. In a letter to me on 15 May the Taoiseach stated that the Minister of Health would submit proposals to the Government in the coming weeks. Has the Minister now done so and when will the Government make the contents of those proposals known to the Dáil?

For months the Government claimed that there was no such thing as discretionary medical cards or that if they did exist, they were not being taken away. It then suspended the review of medical cards and we are now informed that the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, and his Minister of State, Deputy White, were tasked with preparing a plan in respect of this matter. The Government's cuts have given rise to a great deal of distress and there is huge confusion with regard to this matter on the part of the sick, the elderly and the parents of children with difficult medical conditions. There is still no coherent plan. When will the Government produce its proposals in respect of medical cards?

The proposals relating to medical cards will be produced by means of a memo the Minister will present to the Cabinet next week. Earlier today he provided the Cabinet with an update on the progress being made in respect of this matter.

I cannot answer Deputy Adams' question regarding the reports on symphysiotomy. However, I will communicate further with him in respect of the Minister's intentions for bringing them before Government.

There are people in this Chamber with intellects that are vastly superior to mine. I am sure they could quite easily speed read the Cooke report and absorb its contents. The report relates to a serious matter. It was received on Friday last and is being published today. It is appropriate that we should give all Deputies the opportunity to absorb its contents before, as is my intention, making Government time available for statements on it next week.

I did not ask when the Cabinet would receive a memo on medical cards, rather I asked the Taoiseach to indicate when the Government is going to produce its proposals.

This is such a vexed and debilitating issue. I note that this is the first time the Taoiseach has been in the House since the elections. What I want to know is when the Government will announce a reversal of its policy.

Normally I do not respond to the Taoiseach in this way, but he said he could not give me an answer on when the symphysiotomy proposals would be brought forward. This was a barbaric practice which affected women who are now elderly, some of whom are quite ill.

We cannot debate it on the Order of Business.

Given the earlier discussion during Leaders' Questions, I beseech the Taoiseach to come forward, even tomorrow, and tell the House when he will let these citizens know how we will deal with the issue of how they were treated barbarically by the State for a long time.

The Minister will bring his proposals on medical cards to the Government which I hope will be able to adopt them next Tuesday.

I agree with the Deputy on the issue of symphysiotomy. We have had this discussion before. I know that the Deputy likes to have clarity about dates, but I cannot give him clarity today. This was a barbaric practice. Again, it feeds into the treatment of women for many years. I will have the Minister give me the up-to-date position on the publication of the report and bringing forward his propositions to deal with the matter. I know that a good deal of work has been done on it and will advise the House as soon as I have the information.