Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Will the Taoiseach confirm the authenticity of the leaked Cabinet memos which reveal the shambles that is now the Government's so-called health policy? Has he initiated a full investigation of the leaks? Is it the case that they confirm dissent and disgruntlement within the Department of Health and Children at the continued lack of financial support and embargo on recruitment forced on it by the Department of Finance?

Will the Taoiseach confirm that the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, has written to his Cabinet colleagues stating that some €400 million in capital funding has been spent on projects throughout the State and that these facilities are lying idle and are not fulfilling the task for which they were built? Will the Taoiseach confirm that if these units are not opened in 2004, the capital investment therein will not be properly utilised and they will not fulfil their real potential? What amount has been spent on unused capital investment projects and empty facilities? Can the Taoiseach confirm that the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, is seeking an additional €50 million to provide properly for the facilities required by these capital investments, which is €2 million less than what the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, and the Cabinet have wasted in public moneys on the e-voting project?

Will the Taoiseach indicate what will be the Cabinet response to the Minister for Health and Children's request? Will he accept that request, as I urge him to do, in order that these important capital projects are properly resourced and that people in the respective communities receive the services intended?

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