Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

In light of the large amount of publicity it has received recently, has the Taoiseach attended a screening of Michael Moore's new film "Sicko"? The film throws some light on the health system in the United States. I recommend that the Taoiseach see it because it exposes some of the practices that obtain and the participants involved in the delivery of the so-called health service in the United States. Some of the companies featured in the film have been invited to operate private for-profit health facilities in this country. If the Taoiseach has already seen "Sicko", that is well and good. If not, I recommend that he do so.

In replies to questions I tabled on previous occasions, the Taoiseach referred to the high level interdepartmental committee on North-South matters and the North-South interdepartmental co-ordinating group. Are these entities continuing to operate as they did in the past or has their work been stepped up or moved into another realm of engagement since the restoration of the Executive north of the Border? Will the Taoiseach shed some light on what is happening with these two interdepartmental bodies?

The Taoiseach, in his earlier reply, could have given a little bit more information regarding the Cabinet committee on health or any of the other committees without in any way breaching confidentiality from a Cabinet point of view.

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