Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Yesterday the Taoiseach committed to a debate on the HSE service plan. On Monday a citizen, Maureen Kane, collapsed on the streets of Drogheda and died before she could be taken to the hospital, which was only a stone's throw from where she was and a stone's throw from the Cottage nursing home. This is the second time that has happened in Drogheda. Another citizen, Peter Sherlock, also died. It shows the urgency of these issues and I call for an urgent debate.

I welcome the debate next Tuesday on this austerity treaty. It would help if the Government made available to us a copy of the Irish submission to the EU and if we knew what the Government was pitching in all of this, so we can have an informed debate.

I am only a short time in the House but I do not believe that there is inclusive discussion on these issues or that the Oireachtas is getting the respect it deserves from the Government on these crucial issues. This austerity treaty is very bad for the EU but, more important, for the people of this State. The Taoiseach knows that and that is why he is dodging the issue. He is for it and we deserve the right to influence his opinion on this matter.

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