Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I do not agree. We are putting through approximately €45 billion in 45 minutes. This represents €1 billion per minute and ten minutes speaking time for each party. I realise this was discussed or referred to in committee. In his response to the matter of Crumlin hospital this morning, the Taoiseach made the valid point, which I accept, that we should discuss matters of efficiency and so on here. The Estimate for the Department of Health and Children is €11.632 billion. The Taoiseach made a comment about increased service in Galway in the cancer area, which I accept. In some cases there, patients are being driven from the front door of the hospital to the back door by taxi for additional treatment.

Let us consider the Estimate of €10.917 billion allocated to the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The best answer to matters of social welfare is to create employment. Last night the Taoiseach held discussions on social partnership dealing with subsidies for employers, which does not go far enough in the context of the €11 billion stimulus that the Fine Gael Party proposed for job protection and creation. We should discuss these matters.

I refer to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for which there is a €1.599 billion Estimate to deal with expenses, salaries of the office of the Minister but also costs associated with the Irish Land Commission, which was abolished many years ago. I am unsure of the role of the remnants of the organisation now. The allocation for the Garda Síochána includes a €1.48 billion payment for certain witnesses expenses and payment of grants-in-aid. We should discuss these matters in the House and I do not believe it is appropriate to allow 45 minutes for a discussion when almost €45 billion, or €1 billion per minute, is being put through, which is phenomenal. For this reason I object to the allocation of time. It is not sufficient and in the interests of that to which the Taoiseach referred, there are opportunities for the House to suggest areas in which money could be saved and to point out where efficiencies could take place.

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