During yesterday's discussion between our party leader and the Taoiseach on Leaders' Questions it emerged that the Government had taken a decision to extend the GP cards to everybody over 70 years of age.

No, we are not dealing with that issue but promised legislation.

One would have expected that legislation would be required and follow from the Taoiseach's statement. When is it intended to bring the legislation before the House?

Are draft heads of a Bill available? Is it something that has emanated from the discussions between the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach in the past few days and was there a rush by him to get the good news out ahead of publication of the document on which they are working?

Is this on promised legislation?

Have discussions taken place with the IMO on this decision?

It is against it.

Is there promised legislation?

Ultimately, this is reflected in the fact that there have been very fruitful discussions between the Taoiseach and me on the roll-out of GP visit card access.

Are they making jam?

The Taoiseach mentioned it yesterday in relation to the over-70s. We are also ambitious to extend it to children. We have legislation under way addressing the issue of under six year olds and I would like to see the next phase deal with primary school children and the phase after that with children in secondary school.

The big boys.

I am also delighted that one of the senior officials in the HSE was able to confirm to the committee earlier this morning that she understood 10,000 medical cards would be returned by tomorrow.

What does that have to do with promised legislation?

By next week, the figure will be 15,000.

We are dealing with the Order of Business.

The process that was promised to the House is under way.

The Government is behind already. I thank the Tánaiste for the information.