David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is not agreed.

We were notified only a couple of hours ago by the clerk to the Business Committee that the statements on health scheduled for Friday in the Dáil will now be taken next week. That is unacceptable. It is because of legislation in the Seanad. We cannot have the Dáil's business rescheduled because of the work of the Seanad. The Seanad has to look after its own business. I cannot see why both cannot be accommodated on Friday.

All the unions which represent front-line health workers were before the Covid committee today. The Taoiseach will know about the huge challenges faced by our health services dealing with Covid care, non-Covid care, catch-up programmes and screening. We have many questions for the Minister for Health. He should be here on Friday. It was the first opportunity for the new Minister for Health to address the Dáil and to take questions from Deputies. It is unacceptable to get an email stating this is not going to happen because of the Seanad business. Both can and should be accommodated. Will the Taoiseach address this?

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