Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is the mixed messages as well. There is not communication with the communities and there is not a whole-of-government response. We have county councillors from Government parties out protesting because it has suddenly dawned on them that there are not enough GP services, education services and other things in communities that have been neglected for years. I am not saying this for any other reason than that we need to start getting this right. There are mixed messages coming. I ask the Taoiseach to get behind the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, and, as Taoiseach, to have a whole-of-government response, because the Minister is being used as a scapegoat for not having that cohesive response. I ask the Government to have respect for communities and recognise what is not in communities and the situation in which people cannot get a GP in their own town and then there are additions to that. There is a right way to do this. I commend communities, and certainly the community of Ballina on the wonderful job it has done on integration there, especially the family resource centre and other community organisations as well. This has happened in many communities, which have done a very good job on integration and, as the Taoiseach rightly said, adding to the community. However, there is a breaking point due to how these communities have been neglected and this needs to be dealt with as a matter of urgency. I am glad to have the opportunity to discuss it with the Taoiseach.

Do I have time to ask another couple of questions?