Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)

Will the Taoiseach restate the purpose of the Cabinet sub-committee on health? Will he indicate the effect the work of the sub-committee will have in the delivery of comprehensive health services during the coming 12 months? Does the sub-committee consider, for example, what will be the impact on the health service in general, and hospital services in particular, of the €2.2 billion in cuts announced in recent days by the Minister for Finance? Has the sub-committee received a report on that matter and, if so, what was its reaction? How detailed are the reports the sub-committee receives from the health service? Nurses at Limerick Regional Hospital were obliged to strike in order to highlight the intolerable conditions being endured by patients and 28 surgical beds were closed at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown two weeks ago.

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