John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

-----potentially being closed. It is not acceptable to see people at that stage in their lives, who have contributed as taxpayers and ordinary, decent citizens, effectively being put out of their beds.

One must remember that 75% of the funding in the health service is spent on pay and pensions and not on the actual service. Consequently, any cuts must be made to the other 25%, which comprises trimming at the edges. In addition, there are significant difficulties in my own locality in respect of orthopaedic surgery and EMT specialists. It is important that such essential services, which are the cornerstone of the delivery of any health service, be protected.

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