Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Tomorrow's Order Paper will inform us of the Government's intentions regarding the recess over Christmas. As the Taoiseach is present today can he bring the Order Paper forward and advise the House as to what it will reflect tomorrow?

Yesterday, in my case, but other voices again this morning have reflected on the serious situation that now stands in the offing in regard to the health service. Yesterday we thought cuts of €500 million were planned but that has risen to some €1 billion in real terms in cuts within the health service. That needs to be addressed. The issue is critically important and it affects every one of us, irrespective of politics, as every citizen will be in need of health care in this State at some point in their lives. There is great concern already in regard to the haemorrhage of services and the continued move towards centralisation and privatisation. We need to have a full-blown debate on the floor of this House regarding the Government's intention for the health service in 2009. I ask that the Taoiseach accommodate that as early as possible, if not before Christmas at the earliest resumption date in the new year.

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