John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

During the last general election, Fine Gael told the people that Fianna Fáil had lost its way and had become ever more complacent and incompetent as the years in office have grown. How sad that our analysis has proved to be so obviously accurate so quickly.

We in Fine Gael have consistently pointed to the Government's responsibility for and indifference to the sustained loss of international competitiveness. We have relentlessly pointed to the economic dangers and personal risks of the domestically generated housing bubble. These are problems largely of the Government's own making and have little to do with international factors.

The Government ignored all our warnings about these serious problems. Regrettably, we now face the probability of recession while other countries face an economic downturn. The manure has certainly hit the fan, in spectacular fashion I might add. The projectile matter carries a very clear Fianna Fáil ministerial address. There is no point in the Government trying to duck and weave and it is futile for it to try to blame external factors. The Government messed up on the economy just as it messed up the Lisbon referendum campaign.

It accuses us of talking down the economy, which is typical Fianna Fáil arrogance, as it chooses to completely ignore the fact that it is actually responsible for taking down whole sections of the economy. Talking honestly and factually about the economy is not about talking down the country. The only talking down to be done is to talk down the false perception of competence that this Government has sought so carefully to cultivate.

The consequences of Government incompetence are now visible everywhere in the latest CSO figures, in the mid-term Exchequer figures and in last week's Black Friday for jobs. The services sector and the high-tech sectors are also showing headline-grabbing job losses. At local level in Sligo, we have seen a constant haemorrhage of job losses. The consequences of Government incompetence are flowing into the real economy and the lives of ordinary people.

There is nothing in these cutbacks to recognise that we need a renewed focus on job creation efforts. There is an urgent need to review the effectiveness of the incentives used in the development of the indigenous manufacturing sector. This sector must get renewed priority so that investing in productive capacity for solidly based growth becomes more rewarding. The problems are not just confined to those who are losing their jobs. For example, a woman who wanted to bring her 12-year-old daughter home from a rehabilitation hospital was told that this was not possible.

Before the last election, there was much Government talk of developing Sligo and the north west generally. There was much discussion of the national development plan and the national spatial strategy, with Sligo being designated as a gateway city with funding of over €300 million. Where is that plan?

The announcement today by Professor Tom Keane is the most appalling announcement of all. A total of €3 million has been curtailed due to an inability to employ specialist cancer consultants. This is the clear message now being conveyed in Sligo in respect of the closure of the massive service there, triple assessment and the transfer of 4,000 patients, 4,000 mammograms and 2,000 colorectal inquiries from Sligo. They are now being told that this service will be closed and transferred to Galway with one bed on offer. Despite the fact that only €550,000 was allocated for every centre of excellence, I need clarification in respect of the €3 million allocated from Professor Keane's budget to employ cancer specialists. This is an appalling announcement. Despite the massive campaign in Sligo for the retention of services, we hear today that €3 million is being cut from Professor Keane's budget to employ specialist cancer consultants. How many minutes do I have left?

I want clarification regarding the funding in respect of the N17, N4, the N15; the pedestrianisation of Sligo; and the massive improvements in the gateway status that have been announced by this Government. The most defining issue in Sligo in recent years has been the retention of cancer services. I want a solid explanation as to why the minimal funding of €3 million allocated to Professor Keane to employ specialist cancer consultants is now being cut. This is a total contradiction that needs clarification from the Minister of State, Deputy Devins; Deputy Scanlon; and Senator MacSharry who represent this constituency.

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