Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I repeatedly asked yesterday what consideration the Minister for Health and Children would give to presenting herself here to answer questions on her signalling of serious further cutbacks to the health budget. Outside the issue of pay under the terms of the Croke Park agreement, what does this actually mean? What devastation are our health services now facing? While there is inadequate time for questions to the Minister for Finance, will the Government facilitate the opportunity for a debate that I have repeatedly called for about the national children's hospital and yesterday's budgetary announcement that we are facing cuts in the order of €600 million to €1 billion in the health area alone?

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