From today the lifetime community rating provision is being implemented. In effect, from now on people over the age of 34 will be penalised if they do not purchase private health insurance. I ask the Minister to outline the timeframe for the introduction of universal health insurance. The programme for Government commits to publishing legislation to underpin universal health insurance, but as yet we have not seen the ESRI publish the costs of universal health insurance. It smacks of absolute hypocrisy that we are now forcing people to take out private health insurance without knowing when universal health insurance will be introduced. Does the Government still intend to bring about universal health insurance, compulsory health insurance, or is it just a pretence like many other things in the programme for Government?

The Deputy will be aware that the Minister for Health has quite a deal of legislation. Last year's focus was on the legislation to introduce free GP care for children under six. At the time the Deputy was not clear whether he supported it, but now supports it - although Deputy Keaveney is against it. There is further legislation on those aged over 70. That is the Minister's focus at the moment regarding health legislation. In accordance with the development of the policy on universal health insurance, I am sure the Minister for Health will revert to the House.

I call Deputy Ellis.

The Minister, Deputy White, is representing the Minister for Health, as the leader of the Government today.

Deputy, I am sorry. I have called Deputy Ellis.

I have no timeframe for universal health insurance legislation.

There is no date for such legislation.

The programme for Government states quite clearly it must be published before the end of the Government's lifetime.

Sorry, Deputy, I have called Deputy Ellis.

A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I do not want to delay the House.

I do not either.

There is a commitment in the programme for Government-----

I can assist. If there is specific legislation-----

-----that universal health insurance legislation would be published in advance of a general election. We are now less than-----

On the specific legislation about which the Deputy has asked me, there is no date.

The Deputy should submit a Topical Issue request or a parliamentary question. I would be glad to tell the Ceann Comhairle.

Will it be before the general election?

We do not know when the general election will be.

It is an absolute farce.

You and your spring statement.

It is a programme of broken promises as opposed to a programme for Government.

Could we have order? Deputy Ellis has the floor.

The Deputy should discuss that with Deputy Keaveney who has a different view.