Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail)

I commend Senator Mary White on the wonderful work she has undertaken in respect of active ageism and in particular on the policy document on older people she launched earlier this week. All Members look forward to participating in the debate when the proposed legislation comes before the House and all sides of the House should support the aims contained within Senator White's document.

On another health-related issue, I support Senator MacSharry's call for the Minister for Health to come to the House because of the assurances and promises made in the north west both before and after the last general election in respect of two hospitals. I refer to the promises regarding Sligo General Hospital, the retention of cancer services there and the creation of a centre of excellence for cancer treatment in Sligo, as well as the retention of Lifford Community Hospital. These promises were made by Labour Party and Fine Gael candidates in Sligo-North Leitrim and Donegal South-West. They also were made by the current Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, when he visited Lifford last February. He stated categorically that were Fine Gael in government, the future of Lifford Community Hospital would be secure. Last week, Health Service Executive west published its report which confirmed that Lifford Community Hospital is closing. The only reason public consultation is now being entered into is because three ferocious elderly patients at Abbeyleix community hospital took the HSE to court before Christmas and won their case. The Minister for Health must come to this House because at a time when people's view of politics is challenging, Ministers have gone up and down the country making all sorts of promises simply to buy votes. Thereafter, having been elected and the faith of the people having been bestowed upon them-----