Geothermal and children’s hospital bills
Deputy Bernard Durkan requested progress on the geothermal energy and national children’s hospital development board Bills. The Taoiseach said the geothermal Bill would follow the minerals Bill later in the year and promised to provide an update on the hospital legislation.
On promised legislation, the geothermal energy development Bill has been promised for some time. I understood it had been progressing but it seems to have stalled. Can I ask the Taoiseach when it is likely to move forward again?
Similarly, on the national children's hospital development board Bill, which will have implications for the provision of the new children's hospital, can I ask the Taoiseach if progress can be reported in respect of that matter in so far as bringing it before the House at an early date is concerned?
Comment on this
I do not have a date for the second one but I can advise Deputy Durkan of the progress made. I will inform the Deputy of that.
In respect of the geothermal Bill, that is later in the year but it will be preceded by the minerals Bill. They have to follow in sequence, so it will be later in the year.