Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

What is the status of the health governance Bill? Many hospitals are in a very serious situation in terms of their capacity to pay bills and we are seeing overruns in budgets throughout the State. I understand management at Beaumont hospital, among others, has indicated that it may not be in a position to pay staff in the autumn because of the crisis that is emerging in its finances. Since the abolition of the board of the Health Service Executive there has been a vacuum in health governance. The relevant Bill must, therefore, be brought before the House as a matter of urgency. Will the Taoiseach give a commitment that it will be dealt with before the summer recess?

The Taoiseach seemed to indicate earlier in an admonition to Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett that 18 July is a moveable feast and may not be the definitive date for the House's rising for the summer. The Government Whip proposed the schedule of sittings through to July to all the other Whips. Is the Taoiseach now proposing to change it?

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