Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

In line with Sinn Féin policy, my colleague in County Louth has very clearly indicated that a two-tier approach does not work, and that is wholly in line with the position I have articulated here, time and again. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for allowing me to clarify that point.

Regarding the grouping of questions before the House, the Minister has never given us a breakdown of the alleged €20 million to be generated from the proposed co-operation or amalgamation of the three existing child-related hospitals in the greater Dublin area. Can the Minister give such a breakdown and the facts and figures on the €20 million she alleges is the crock of gold at the end of the rainbow, which, in real terms, represents the end of Crumlin children's hospital as we have known it? It is very important that the debate is informed of the full facts.

While the further cuts at Crumlin were deferred for the summer period, there is, nonetheless, the restraint created as a result of a €9.5 million budget cut already at that hospital. As the national children's hospital, which is supposed to be a centre of excellence, how can the provision of services be allowed to be so restricted, where young people in need of major operative procedures are having access to them denied or deferred, resulting in great pain and potentially life-debilitating consequences?

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