Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I agree with Deputy Kenny. I return to the Taoiseach's suggestion that we have a free vote on this matter. What is happening in the health services and the anxiety and pain that have been caused to so many patients, particularly in recent weeks, should not be subject to a whip. Individual Deputies should be able to express their points of view on the health service and the performance of the Minister and the Health Service Executive without fear of the Whip and they should be able to vote accordingly.

The Taoiseach's suggestion of a free vote across the House is one I and Deputy Kenny happily accept. Let us have a free vote. Deputies are privately expressing their lack of confidence in the Minister for Health and Children in their constituencies. When issues arise about hospitals or health services in those constituencies, they say it is due to the Minister and that she has nothing to do with them and is from a different party. This is about the health and lives of people in our communities. Let those Deputies come to the House now and vote according to what they think, not what they are told by the party Whip. I agree with Deputy Kenny that the debate on this issue should commence after the Order of Business. The Order of Business should be amended accordingly.

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