I wish to ask about promised legislation. I have asked this question previously, as have others. The mediation Bill is important and has implications for a wide area.

Can the Taoiseach indicate the present state and status of the Bill, when it is likely to come before the House, whether it been agreed fully by the Cabinet and whether changes are being made in the course thereof?

A couple of weeks ago, I again raised the question of the bail Bill. The bail Bill is also important legislation and while the Taoiseach has indicated previously that there is no definite time for its introduction, given the number of instances in recent years in which different bail laws might have had a much more positive impact to protect citizens of the State, might it be possible to consider again the implications and the importance of the aforementioned Bill and to bring it before the House at the earliest opportunity?

The heads of the mediation Bill were cleared and work is proceeding on it, although it will be early next year before it is published. In respect of the bail Bill, the draft heads are at an advanced stage but I cannot give Deputy Durkan a date for publication. Nevertheless, it is moving in the right direction.