Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

-----to undertake a review of the programme for Government. The Taoiseach is unclear in his responses as to how long this review process will take. In the interim, would he be prepared to have a full substantive debate in the House on the current programme for Government in the lead-up to the summer recess and in advance of address of the report of the review? Will he bring forward the reviewed programme for Government for a full debate on the floor of this Chamber?

The existing programme for Government in regard to health indicates that the Taoiseach believes the interests of public patients must be protected and that the best way to do this is to invest in expanded services and to end practices which serve to reduce public capacity, among other commitments. How can he possibly reconcile that commitment in the current programme for Government with what has actually taken place in our health services across the State? Does he not see the absolutely blatant contradictions between that alleged commitment forged with the Green Party and others following the 2007 general election and what is actually happening at hospital sites across this State today, given the impending closure of acute medical services at Monaghan General Hospital in the very near future, the loss of services at other hospital sites such as Dundalk, Nenagh, Ennis and the signalled further threats to services at hospitals in Kerry and Cork?

When, as I understand he will, the Taoiseach visits Cavan-Monaghan on bank holiday Monday, will he take the opportunity to visit Monaghan General Hospital to meet the consultants and nursing staff and to meet the general practitioners of the area, the Oireachtas Members for the constituency and the County Monaghan Community Alliance, whose members have campaigned tirelessly and courageously over many years to protect those services and to ensure that we have a hospital continuing in operation there of which we can be proud? In the context of the programme for Government, will he try to convince some of the people of our constituency that there may be some small element of the commitments made just two years ago to which he is still holding at this point in time?

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