Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Against a backdrop of public hospitals such as Monaghan, Cavan and Dundalk, which have long records of excellent care for patients, being deprived of services and the recent announcement by the Health Service Executive north east area of a further contraction in services to offset a projected overspend in the current fiscal year, will the Minister for Finance, as former Minister for Health and Children, intervene with the Minister for Health and Children to ensure patient safety is not put at risk across all the different disciplines affected, including oncology, renal dialysis and a raft of others highlighted over recent days? We appeal to the Minister to use his good offices and experience in the Department to recognise the needs of the north east.

With regard to promised legislation, the health information and quality authority Bill and the eligibility for health and personal social services Bill have been raised many times. What are the prospects of this legislation being brought forward in order to accommodate the type of debate we need in the House on this deeply worrying development which compounds the hurt of so many people?

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