I want an assurance from the Government that Irish Water will come before the relevant Oireachtas committee to answer questions that many people have.

As regards the forthcoming finance Bill, there has been a considerable lack of detail in the health budget for 2015. The HSE deficit could hit €500 million. The comprehensive expenditure report published on Wednesday by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, states that departmental heads are progressing a range of measures saving €130 million, and income generation measures of €330 million, estimated to have the potential to support expenditure in 2015. No one knows what it actually means. It was in a footnote in the document. Essentially, it is a black hole of approximately €460 million in the health Estimate.

On the Order of Business prior to the budget, I asked the Taoiseach to facilitate a transparent examination of the health budget by an Oireachtas committee. Last year, we were given a false and dishonest health budget on budget day. Everybody remembers the €130 million in alleged medical card probity.

Is there any promised legislation on this, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle?

Deputy Stagg is not the Chair.

Just one speaker at a time, please.

There is legislation and I am coming to that. The bottom line, however, is that we are facing a similar situation this year. Health budgets have been produced that have no credibility at all. Last year we were given false figures. We know that now because through a freedom of information request we obtained HSE documents to the Minister at the time expressing alarm about safety.

When will the Finance Bill be published? Will time be made available for the Oireachtas to debate it? The Government is committed to this and has said that budgetary matters will be transparent. Will we have an opportunity to look at all the submissions made by the HSE to the Department of Health concerning its needs. Health is under enormous pressure.

I am calling the Tánaiste to reply. We cannot have a detailed debate now.

Operations are being cancelled and operating theatres have been closed. That is what is going on right now. There should be far greater transparency for the health Estimate than has been provided to date, including last year. Such transparency was committed to by the Government a long time ago but it has not been realised in the context of the health Estimate.

I do agree that Irish Water should be prepared to communicate with the Fianna Fáil Party or, indeed, with other political parties if they are requested to do so.

Or the Oireachtas.

They were requested to do so because Labour Party Deputies wanted two particular issues addressed. One was the fact that often when Irish Water is phoned, it is a lo-call number, and people can be left waiting for answers for a fairly long period of time. That has been generally discussed.

What about the box number?

I have been approached by Deputies from all parties in the House on the second issue which is a request for an information line to be available to public representatives who get queries from constituents about Irish Water. It is perfectly reasonable that they should be able to get those answers. I am told that Irish Water is examining that with a view to putting in some kind of inquiry line for Deputies, as the Department of Social Protection does. I do not know for certain when that will happen.

What the Deputy has described Deputy Cowen as doing is perfectly reasonable. I expect that Irish Water will communicate with him-----

With the Oireachtas.

-----to make information available or have a discussion with Fianna Fáil Deputies.

No, with the Oireachtas.

That is a matter for the Whips who can have such a discussion.

Does the Tánaiste not think Irish Water should come before the Oireachtas?

I favour Irish Water having communications with the different political parties and with the Oireachtas. It is a publicly-owned company and is responsible in terms of public accountability. I am sure it will provide public accountability - as is required of similar public utility bodies - to this House on its own operations.

The Deputy's other query concerned the Finance Bill which will be published next Thursday. It will come before the House on Second Stage in the first half of November. The Whips will give the Fianna Fáil finance spokesperson the detailed information on that, as well as the usual courtesies concerning deadlines and other timings for the Bill.

As regards the health budget, budget 2015 is the first budget increase in seven years but big problems and challenges are still facing the health system in 2015. The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, is confident the targets are achievable. I am particularly happy that the Minister has committed to the roll-out of BreastCheck for women aged 65 to 69 years. It is important. A further €35 million has been ring-fenced for mental health services. The Fianna Fáil spokesperson on health raised the point last week and in addition we have extra money for step-down facilities, which are important. With regard to the health Estimate, there is a significant increase in funding for the health services.

I asked about Oireachtas scrutiny. It took 12 months for the document to be obtained from the HSE through a freedom of information request.

There is the normal Oireachtas scrutiny in respect of health. I am sure the Fianna Fáil spokesman will speak to the Minister about it.

This is not Question Time.