Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am interested in the Taoiseach's remark about a free vote. He would have a problem in respect of some of his Deputies, who are away, if it were to apply across the board. I have no problem with a free vote on an issue such as this. The Labour Party has tabled a motion of no confidence in the Minister for Health and Children. The Fine Gael Party has also tabled a motion of no confidence in the Minister. This is the most important business before the House. It affects the ability of the Government to do its job.

Members were told last week by the Minister for Health and Children that this debacle and demonstration of incompetence arose because of a communications issue. In the speech quoted by Deputy Gilmore, when the Minister introduced the Health Service Executive, she said that the Minister has the power to inform the executive of policy decisions and to direct it to carry out its duties in compliance with Government policy. That clearly did not happen in the interests of the patients in Portlaoise. Earlier I asked the Taoiseach some straightforward questions about communications and whether there were 15 wrong diagnoses in Cork University Hospital, which were brought to my attention by Deputy Coveney and Deputy Clune. The Taoiseach did not have a detailed answer even though this is about communications.

As this matter is central to the continuation of the Government, we should deal with it now. We should use Government time to deal with the motion of no confidence in the Minister for Health and Children. It is important for every person in the country. I object to Nos. 7, 8 and 9 being taken now. The most important business before the House is the motion of no confidence in the Minister for Health and Children. We should debate it now, in Government time, and the Taoiseach should agree to the proposal.

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