James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

The public has been promised by the new Government that it is committed to reducing suicide rates, but it is clear that the Government's commitment to tackle suicide is meaningless.

Unfortunately, the examples cited in this motion do not comprise the full list of services to be affected by the Minister's cutbacks. This list is only the beginning of a raft of measures that will erode patient care and limit services. In recent days we learnt that Monaghan hospital will be stripped of further services and will have to suffer the removal of yet another ward. Where are Deputies Smith, Conlon and O'Hanlon now with their pre-election promises?

The Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar has to cut medical day cases by 55 procedures a month. The loss of an operating theatre and six surgical inpatient beds in South Tipperary General Hospital in Clonmel will reduce activity by one third. The Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore will see the cancellation of elective work. I have been informed by Deputy Doyle that 320 much needed ambulance staff cannot be employed because of a staff embargo.

Since the return of Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats to Government, the exposure of their deceitful half truths about health services has completely undermined any credibility they might have had. Patients should not be punished for HSE mismanagement and overspending while massive bonuses are paid to management. I agree with the Minister that the HSE must manage its finances, but balancing its books should not come at the expense of frontline services and patient care. With industrial action threatened and patient care bound to suffer, it is high time the Minister took control of the situation. That is why our parliamentary party requests the Minister for Health and Children to ensure that essential frontline services are not further reduced and that necessary budgetary adjustments are focused on administration and bureaucracy rather than frontline services. In short, the patient must come first. There should be more service, transparency and accountability, with less management and administration.

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