Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I favour Irish Water having communications with the different political parties and with the Oireachtas. It is a publicly-owned company and is responsible in terms of public accountability. I am sure it will provide public accountability - as is required of similar public utility bodies - to this House on its own operations.

The Deputy's other query concerned the Finance Bill which will be published next Thursday. It will come before the House on Second Stage in the first half of November. The Whips will give the Fianna Fáil finance spokesperson the detailed information on that, as well as the usual courtesies concerning deadlines and other timings for the Bill.

As regards the health budget, budget 2015 is the first budget increase in seven years but big problems and challenges are still facing the health system in 2015.

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The Minister, Deputy Varadkar, is confident the targets are achievable. I am particularly happy that the Minister has committed to the roll-out of BreastCheck for women aged 65 to 69 years. It is important. A further €35 million has been ring-fenced for mental health services. The Fianna Fáil spokesperson on health raised the point last week and in addition we have extra money for step-down facilities, which are important. With regard to the health Estimate, there is a significant increase in funding for the health services.

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