Mediation Bill
Durkan asks when the mediation Bill will be introduced. The Tánaiste says it is expected later in the year, while noting that no date is available for the apprenticeship Bill.
On promised legislation, what is the position on the mediation Bill, which has wide implications in many areas? I hope both Bills will be before the House soon.
Comment on this
On Deputy Troy's question and the health (transport support) Bill, the legislation has been included in the legislative programme of the Department of Health for 2015.
Comment on this
As I stated to Deputy Troy, work is ongoing on the policy but I do not have a date.
On apprenticeships, Deputy Durkan may be aware that the apprenticeship council has been constituted under the chairmanship of the CEO of the ESB. Happily, the ESB, Irish Rail and, more recently, Eircom and other large companies have begun to advertise a significant number of new apprenticeships. These have been strongly supported in terms of applications. I do not have a date for the apprenticeship Bill itself. I anticipate that the mediation Bill will be introduced later this year.