Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I agree to this and I commend the Government on its contribution to date to the catastrophe in Haiti. I will not have time to speak on the debate, so I would like to a make a point now. We have a Naval Service vessel that is a fully equipped hospital ship. There are medics and doctors queuing up to give of their time free of charge to assist in this catastrophe. I request the Tánaiste to see to it that this ship is made ready and sails for Haiti. It is a fully equipped hospital ship and could do enormous beneficial work offshore, just as other countries are doing during this tragedy. As it will be located offshore, it will be immune from earthquakes, and doctors and nurses in this country are more than willing to stay on that ship and carry out essential operations for those who have been devastated by the earthquake. It would represent an invaluable contribution from the Government and I will support it wholeheartedly if it commits to it.

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