Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to put to the Taoiseach a proposal for Government time. Last evening there was a very serious programme on RTE in respect of collusion between British state security forces and loyalist paramilitary groups over a sustained period which resulted in the murder of innocent people. It was an excellent investigative programme and, as such, merits the most serious consideration by the Oireachtas and the Government. I call on the Taoiseach to set time aside to facilitate a comprehensive debate on the matters covered by that programme and other matters, if necessary. We have been calling for various debates in respect of related matters on Northern Ireland but for some reason they have not been ordered or managed by Government. I sincerely put it to the Taoiseach that in light of last evening's programme, there is an importance to debating in this House the issues that emanate from that programme. They go to the heart of the relationship between our Government, our State, the British state and the British Government.

I am unsure whether the Taoiseach has been in touch with the Prime Minister in respect of the content of that programme or whether he has spoken to the British ambassador on the matter, but it is very serious and merits the Oireachtas taking it seriously. I am asking that the Government would agree to set time aside to facilitate the debate on the issues that arose in that programme.

I understand it has emerged that the businessman, Denis O'Brien, has begun a legal action against the State arising from speeches and remarks made in the Dáil about his banking affairs with the State-owned Irish Banking Resolution Corporation. Essentially it is challenging stances and statements made by various Deputies. I am keen to ensure the Government and the Oireachtas take such a challenge to the fundamentals of our democracy, including the parliamentary right to speech, very seriously indeed and that the strongest of legal representation will be secured by the Oireachtas and the State to resist this particular challenge. In many ways it is extraordinary that we are at this particular point. In essence, something that has been cherished since the foundation of the State, that is, the right to parliamentary privilege and of Deputies to articulate views they believe to be in the public interest, is being challenged in such a comprehensive and substantive way. This matter goes to the heart of our parliamentary democracy and I am asking for the Taoiseach's comments on the matter.

In the programme for Government specific promises were made on caring for older people, specifically: "Investment in the supply of more and better care for older people in the community and in residential settings will be a priority of this Government." HIQA has made recommendations in reports about a number of local district hospitals. Approximately 26 of those hospitals have not yet provided an accepted funded plan to construct or refurbish units, although it was determined by HIQA that they should. Approximately 1,372 beds in these district hospitals throughout the country are now in danger - many of them are in the southern part of the country - as a result of Government inaction and failure to provide the necessary funding in line with its programme for Government and legislative commitments in terms of the supply of more and better care for older people. Will the Taoiseach confirm that the Government is going to fulfil its commitment in the programme for Government in respect of these district hospitals and the need to ensure these 1,372 beds are kept open?

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