Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I said I would consider it. The reason that the European Commission sent that to the finance committee of the Bundestag is that it is a constitutional requirement of the German Parliament that, where it is funding countries in a bailout, this kind of information must be made available. As I pointed out to Deputy Martin before, due to the fact that the budget is so close, the German Parliament is looking for indicative material, which is now placed in the Oireachtas Library. I hope this deals with that matter. For the Deputy's information, we will continue to publish the quarterly reviews once they have been adopted and signed off on by the troika.

In respect of the community hospitals the Deputy mentioned and other issues of serious concern in the health Department, what is going on here is the normal process of pre-budget discussion with elected representatives of the two parties in government. From this point of view, I confirm to Deputy Martin again that, of the long range of all of the Departments' issues, the Government has not signed off on the details that will be put in the budget.

I understand exactly the quality and the challenge that front line staff, carers and workers in community hospitals have to face, but I am also a realist. Many of these buildings are very old and require pretty serious refurbishment and very costly maintenance and upkeep. What is involved is a review of all of that to see what is in the best interests of the homes' residents.

I confirm to Deputy Martin and the House that the Cabinet has not signed off on the list the Deputy mentioned. The discussions that took place at the internal committees of both parties in government - the Labour Party and the Fine Gael Party - are normal discussions that take place about the options open to all Ministers as they prepare for this budget, which is, as the Deputy knows, challenging, difficult and something that he refused to face for many years.

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