Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

There are two choices facing the Minister, the interim board of the HSE and the Department. More important, the results of those choices will be felt by the many people relying on health services every day. Mr. Magee, the CEO of the HSE, stated quite clearly that there will be massive cutbacks to services in order to address the budget deficit, which is projected to reach over €500 million by the end of the year if something is not done.

I am not raising that as a hare as the Minister's Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Howlin, is writing to the Minister opposite, pleading and begging for him to take a hands-on approach to address the budget deficit.

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