Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

I object to the fact that the Government proposes to rush through a fairly complex Finance Bill in less than 15 hours debate over three days on Committee Stage. This time includes our one opportunity, according to the Minister, to discuss a 1,000 page report on tax breaks. It is also a Bill that proposes to extend tax breaks significantly, not just to hospitals but to psychiatric institutions and mental care centres. The Dáil cannot do its job unless we are given a full opportunity to tease out the costs and benefits of the Minister's proposal for the health service. I am glad the Tánaiste is present as she has issued a directive to the Health Service Executive that, for example, in the case of a number of hospitals like Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, land is to be given for private hospital development. If such a development costs €100 million, tax breaks of €42 million will be received courtesy of the taxpayer. This will all be done without any debate on the cost or benefit to the State.

As the time given for debate is inadequate, will the Government rethink its position on it? It is outrageous that we are supposed to hold the Minister for Finance to account but we have almost no time to do so or debate important issues because of the way the Committee Stage is structured.

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