Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

The former leader took great offence to it but the Minister's answer left that charge open. The best interests of the HSE could have been to realise its capital value and put it into the many areas where capital shortages are hindering her work..

St. Luke's works for an aspect of the healing care which is associated with the TB of our generation. We do not know everything; no generation ever will but we think that because we are the current cohort we do know everything. It is a welcome facility.

It is not often that a facility like St. Luke's is available in a suburban area. It has the capacity to absorb and maintain the calm that many people, who travel long distances, require. Frequently the people who are panicking most and are the most fearful are not those who have the disease but the immediately family around them. We have all experienced that. That itself can be a cause for additional strain and stress. St. Luke's has addressed that.

The Minister should put herself into the picture of travelling five days a week to get to St. James's to get regular radiotherapy treatment and navigate the Luas and car park. She should come to the Mad Cow roundabout, an area she knows well, and get on the Luas. She would be stressed out.

This Bill will be passed. The decision has been made. I am sure the medical advice is the best available; I am not disputing that. However, there are components which cannot be quantified but which can be experienced in St. Luke's. In view of this I urge the Minister not to throw the baby out with the bath water.

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