This matter requires the Taoiseach's leadership rather than long-fingering. On the promised legislation regarding the award of medical cards on the grounds of medical conditions, while the announcement in this regard is welcome a serious situation has arisen in that applications for discretionary medical cards-----

Deputy, please. I need your assistance. You know the rules.

------from 1 July last up to the publication of that legislation will not get adequate attention. I am speaking in particular of parents of sick children who apply for a discretionary medical in respect of which there are currently no clear guidelines.

What Bill is the Deputy inquiring about?

It is promised legislation to award medical cards on the grounds of medical condition.

Is a Bill promised?

When can we expect that Bill to be published and will the Government put in place a regime to allow for sympathetic consideration of medical card applications for new applicants until such time as that legislation has been enacted?

Deputy Shortall is incorrect in stating that the clinic panel was set up to award medical cards based on medical conditions. It was set up to assess the nature, scale and criteria of medical conditions that will lead to access to medical facilities for people.

I know that.

The Deputy is saying that ultimately if a person has a common cold he or she should get a medical card.

No, I am not.

Deputy Shortall did not say that.

The country cannot afford that. The clinical panel is operational and will set out the medical conditions that will apply in respect of access to medical facilities.

I know that.

On the Deputy's other question-----

Sorry, Taoiseach-----

Sorry, Deputy please resume your seat.

-----regarding sports sponsorship by the alcohol industry I have already made it perfectly clear that the committee concerned is being chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and is due to report by the end of this year and will do so. It had a great deal of work to do during the past couple of months. The committee has commenced its work and I intend to ensure that it completes its work and produces its work within the stated time, which is the end of 2014.

The committee has not met since February.

I call Deputy Naughten.

It needs leadership.

Please resume your seat, Deputy.

On the question of medical cards-----

Resume your seat.

-----I am asking the Taoiseach-----

I am on my feet. Please resume your seat.

------what will happen in respect of applications for discretionary medical cards for sick children in the meantime.

Resume your seat please.

What will happen-----

I will have to ask the Deputy to leave the House if she does not resume her seat.

-----between now and when the legislation is in place?

Deputy, stop ignoring the Chair, please. I have called Deputy Naughten. Deputy Naughten when I call you please rise in your place and ask your question. Otherwise, and lest the Deputy thinks it is a bit of a joke, I will not call him.