Senator Ivana Bacik confirmed that the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, would be in the House next week and that the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, would be in the House the following week. We will have a debate on the Magdalen laundries next week.

Senator Sean D. Barrett referred to the delays in introducing legislation, with particular reference to the Bill introduced by Senator Colm Burke. He was right when he said civil servants did not have a monopoly of wisdom where legislation was concerned.

I was perturbed that, given that this is a Bill the Department of Health has been talking about bringing forward for the past four years, it was not ready to accept Senator Colm Burke's Bill, deal with it and have amendments made to it. I do not believe Committee Stage will be taken in the House next week. However, we will certainly be putting pressure on the Department to put in place a Bill which it states it has practically prepared at this stage and bring it before the House, or else amend Senator Colm Burke's Bill. I agree with the Senator that some civil servants may think they have a monopoly of wisdom and do not like Members bringing forward legislation. However, it is a matter of fact and they are going to have to live with it. Some very good Bills have been introduced by Members on all sides of this House.

Including the wills Bill which the Government rejected.