In the programme for Government, there is a commitment to establish a tenancy protection scheme to put an end to disputes regarding the return of deposits. Could the Taoiseach outline to the House the position on this commitment? When can we expect the legislation on it?

With regard to paid paternity leave, the Minister of State with responsibility for equality, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, stated on 21 January, "I am as confident as I can be at this stage that there will be two weeks' paid paternity leave in that [family leave] legislation". It was suggested that this would not be very expensive, with a figure of €10 million mooted. In response to a parliamentary question, the Tánaiste indicated the introduction of paid paternity leave would have significant cost implications for employers, the Exchequer and the Social Insurance Fund. That seems to indicate the costings have not been done. Can the Taoiseach indicate when paid paternity leave is to be introduced? The Minister of State, who is in the Taoiseach's Government, made a solemn commitment. Perhaps the Government makes it up as it goes along; I do not know. The Taoiseach might confirm whether the Minister of State's statement was made up as he went along.

On the issue of a tax relief for landlords who agree not to increase rent, the Government made a commitment, apparently through the Irish Independent, that it would introduce this.

The third matter I want to mention is the free second year of child care and tax relief. When is it proposed to introduce that?

The Deputy has a lot of information on that phone.

Hold on. This is the Order of Business.

These are all Government commitments.

What is that on the Deputy's phone?

This is the Order of Business.

It is extracts from the commitments made by the Taoiseach's Ministers. It is very impressive. The Government says it will reduce or abolish the public sector pension levy: "The public sector pension levy is "likely" to be reduced significantly or abolished ahead of the general election, senior Government sources have told the Irish Independent."

We will shift back to the Order of Business.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, has made a comment that an annual report will be provided to the Dáil.

Do not mind comments from Ministers or anything else.

Phone a friend.

The Tánaiste has promised the introduction of a living wage. When will that be?

That sounds like the subject of a parliamentary question.

These points are on legislation promised by Ministers.

Legislation?

Phone a friend.

Yes. They promised this. There is obviously some incoherence at the heart of the Government-----

Someone is winding up the Deputy.

Either the Government side is winding up the Irish Independent or both are winding up the nation; work it out.

The last item is the commitment in the programme for Government on rural areas. Can the Taoiseach allow Government time for debate in the House on that issue, given Bus Éireann's decision yesterday to cut vital services to people in towns, particularly across the south east? Approximately 100 rural bus routes are to be cut by the company. This seems to be in direct contradiction of the commitment in the programme for Government. I would appreciate it if the Taoiseach allocated Government time to debate this issue.

Yes. In due course, there will be no problem at all. We will wait until the rural development programme is officially confirmed by the European Commission in the coming weeks. We will be able to discuss the change in retention figures for small schools and have a debate here.

I am talking about transport.

Rural transport, of course, will be part of that.

With regard to the living wage, the low pay commission has its first meeting this week. Obviously it will report before the summer and the Government will act accordingly in respect of that and employers. The Deputy will recall that the first thing we were able to do with what is now termed "the institution" - the troika - was to reverse the cut to the minimum wage brought in by a previous Administration.

The living wage.

The question of the second year of child care is a matter for consideration in advance of the budget. I will have to revert to the Deputy on the return of deposits legislation and the tax relief for landlords.

The Government has not considered the comments made by the Minister of State on paid paternity leave.

Did he make it up, so?

I am just saying the Government has not considered anything to do with that.

He said, "I am as confident as I can be."

There is a lot of business to be done today.

I actually believed, when Deputy Martin was reading from his mobile phone, that he was going to tell us when he was going to produce the Fianna Fáil policy on the health system.

He said, "I am as confident as I can be at this stage."

Deputy Adams wants to ask a question.

What policy has the Taoiseach on health?

Deputy Adams, please.

The Dutch model?

We know how Deputy Martin left it.

Since when was Deputy Durkan called on?

I am sorry, a Cheann Comhairle.

I have called Deputy Adams and he is on his feet. There is an old tradition in this House that when a Deputy is on his feet, you stay quiet.