Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I wish the Tánaiste well on her first full day in office.

A serious situation is developing between the Health Service Executive, HSE, and the psychiatric services. What steps will the Government take in this regard and will the Minister come before the House to address the issue? Care services are now being withdrawn and patients are being directly affected. Regarding specific legislation, what can be done to bring forward the nurses and midwives Bill? I ask that the Tánaiste also address the earlier part of my question.

My final point is relevant in the context of a new Taoiseach and Tánaiste and a shuffled Cabinet and should get the attention of the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey. I tabled a series of nine parliamentary questions to the Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey. Four of these have been refused on the basis that they concern the Road Safety Authority. However unsatisfactory it has proved when the Minister for Health and Children kicks into touch a parliamentary question to the HSE's parliamentary affairs division and the long delay that ensues, there is no such——

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