The first Tynwald of 2008 gets underway this morning.

A fairly short Order Paper has a request from the DHSS for an additional ?2.6 million, to cover extra costs of reciprocal medical care with the United Kingdom.

The Department of Local Government and the Environment wants to spend ?2 million on a new road at the Jurby Industrial Estate, and the Department of Transport will make another attempt to get approval for a ?1.2 million road improvement scheme at Governor's Bridge.

There will be a statement on Braddan Commissioners, a call for an inquiry on footpaths in Langness and a motion to compensate Manx servicepeople subjected to radiation during the atom bomb tests in the 1960s.

That's to come after Question Time.

Marian Kenny reports (text, below, from attached audio file):

Onchan's Peter Karran will ask the Chief Minister what plans there are for the former Marine Biology Laboratory at Port Erin, while Rushen member Juan Watterson will ask Tony Brown why the delay in bringing the Scope and Structure of Government report to Tynwald for debate.

Issues facing the Health Minister range from waiting lists for young people to see an orthodontist to the personal expenses allowance for those in nursing or residential homes.

He will also be asked whether there are plans to withdraw free prescriptions from some groups and to confirm that free eye tests for all Island residents will continue.

Brenda Cannell has a series of detailed questions on transport services for disabled people to attend day centres, and there will be debate on the airport runway extension, the Port St Mary Marina, and the future of Bradda Glen.

(Picture: The public entrance to the legislative chambers in Douglas, from manxscenes.com).
Today's Tynwald will be broadcast live on Manx Radio's AM frequency of 1368, from 10.30 this morning.