Niall Collins (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this debate because it is a very important issue for Crumlin and the wider Health Service Executive, and the interested public can derive a degree of confidence in the operation of Crumlin and the HSE arising from it. I acknowledge the very fine work that takes place, the level of patient care and the application of medicine in Crumlin hospital. All Deputies know of people who have experienced the hospital and the benefits that have arisen from it. I welcome the decision announced yesterday not to proceed with the closures during the summer months.

Crumlin hospital or the wider HSE should not be dragged into disrepute. The comparisons that are being made between running the HSE and bailing out bakers and builders is idiotic. We have to start getting real about the banking scenario and the running of the HSE and stop mixing apples and oranges. The bank guarantee scheme and the capitalisation of the banks are necessary for reasons which are well documented in this House. If we had a scenario where people went to their bank and found their deposits were not there, we would have a completely different scenario on our hands. Comparing that, and the effort going into the running of Crumlin hospital and the wider hospital service, is not on.

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