Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)

I want to nail the spin put on this situation, that €56 million is a small amount of money when taken in the context of the €11 billion budget of the new Health Service Executive. It is true to say it is a small percentage in the context of the HSE's overall budget, but anybody or any Minister who feels that €56 million is a small amount of money has completely lost touch with reality.

Apparently what happened was that €56 million allocated for capital projects was not spent for that purpose but was instead used on day to day spending. The question must be asked as to what capital projects suffered as a result. Was it the Tuam community hospital promised by the Taoiseach four years ago and not delivered to date? Was it the ambulance base for Tuam to serve north-east Galway, south Mayo and west Roscommon that has not been delivered, resulting in patients' lives being put at risk on a daily basis? Was it the primary care unit for Tuam promised but not delivered? If it was any of those projects, will the Tánaiste assure us during the question segment of this debate that the Tuam projects will be included in this year's capital projects programme.

My colleague from Clare, Deputy James Breen, who was anxious to speak on this debate but was unable to do so due to time constraints, is equally concerned about Ennis General Hospital, where funding was allocated but not spent. Perhaps the Tánaiste will take the opportunity today to explain why that funding was not spent and what she proposes to do about Ennis General Hospital. In the later part of this session will the Tánaiste outline what projects have suffered, particularly whether Tuam or Ennis suffered? The total amount for those projects is the same as the amount that was misappropriated.

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