Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I beg the Deputy's pardon. I understand the practice is that the Deputy who tabled the first question is the first to be called. I rarely have this opportunity so I will avail of it while it is there.

As is the case on almost all such occasions, Deputy Healy-Rae availed of the opportunity, in the course of the passage of budget 2010 before Christmas - in return, allegedly, for his support in the passage of the budget and all votes related to it, including the disgraceful and savage cuts in social welfare supports - to declare that he had secured a deal from the Government regarding a promised 40-bed hospital facility in Kenmare. The Taoiseach has the Minister for Health and Children at his side. Is it not the case, as was my understanding, that a commitment to establish a 40-bed hospital facility in Kenmare had issued 12 months previously from the HSE? Either it was a quid pro quo for Deputy Healy-Rae's support in the passage of budget 2010 or it was not. Certainly, the Deputy has sought to impress on everyone that such a deal was done and that there were other elements of the deal which related to his constituency of Kerry South.

Can the Taoiseach inform the House whether he, or representatives of his Department, met Deputy Healy-Rae to discuss his support for budget 2010? Was the establishment of a 40-bed hospital in Kenmare one of the matters discussed? What other matters were discussed? Are these matters - including the hospital facility - new elements of existing arrangements between the Government and the Independent Deputy for Kerry South? Did similar engagements take place with other Deputies who are currently-----

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