Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are in a strange situation where there are lots of things we need to do yet we are trying to fill a hiatus. I am not taking from the importance of the matters mentioned by the Chairman, not least the issue of direct provision. I endorse what Deputy Cullinane said regarding the HSE and the arm's length organisations. We talked about this previously. I am mindful that resources are not unlimited but it is something we need to look at unless we are going to stumble from one crisis to another and say "oh dear, here we go again", which is very debilitating to public confidence. I am anxious that the committee look at the fair deal scheme and not long-finger it. I do not know if it is possible to do it in February or early March but it is a very pressing issue.