Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

-----and yesterday, the Sinn Féin spokesperson on health, Deputy Ó Caoláin, revealed the existence of a plan to end HSE ambulance transport services for hundreds of dialysis and cancer patients in the west, all the way from the tip of County Donegal down to Limerick.

I have a letter which sets out this plan very clearly. I note that the Taoiseach's own ceantar i gContae Mhaigh Eo is the áit ina gcaithfidh daoine freastal an méid is faide. Tá a fhios ag an Taoiseach é sin go soiléir. The management of the hospitals have been told that from 1 July 2011, the ambulance service will no longer be available to take these very ill people to and from hospital for lifesaving treatments. I ask the Taoiseach to announce in the House today that he will set in train plans to ensure this axing of the service from 1 July is stopped.

See this speech in context