Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have a question for the Acting Chairman. I have never received a written answer to my questions from the Minister for Health or his colleagues, despite having asked for them since last September. We ask for answers and do not get them. It is an abdication of his duty. We are elected by the people to ask questions.

I want to speak about An Garda Síochána. Members of the Garda are front-line workers who must deal with every situation and have done so gallantly. Community gardaí have stepped up to the plate. They are losing numbers and cars. We need a definite date for the vaccination of members of the Garda. Thomas Finnan, a Garda Representative Association, GRA, representative, and his colleagues in Tipperary contacted me. They do a sterling job and have to get a date for vaccination.

Other speakers have referred to front-line carers. They are in a very vulnerable situation and are looking after the most vulnerable people. We need a date for vaccination for them. We have not received reassurance from the statements and the feeble effort to roll out and procure vaccines. It is shocking.

I want to ask the Minister about the loss of ten intern doctors. There have been 19 in Clonmel since last July, the middle of the pandemic. This July, no new doctors will be appointed. They will all have to emigrate. We cannot afford to lose more than half of our doctors. Many people in the Minister of State's constituency go to Clonmel hospital. This is shocking.

I refer to the children's hospital. I have been contacted by Jonathan Irwin, a renowned businessman who cares about the children's hospital and is involved in the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation. Has the hospital been completely forgotten about in the quagmire, bog and dark black hole? Will the cost be €2 billion or €3 billion? Can we get any update on the current situation? I know where the site is. There have been cost overruns. Will it be finished? We know from social media that there was a major fistfight among employees some time ago. Things could go wrong. There is some kind of a curse on it. Why would there not be, with the blackguarding that is going on?

I do not know what time is left on the clock today, but I want answers in writing from the Minister. I do not want to have to come back here next week or the week after and ask the Minister for answers. He has a duty to reply to the questions we ask and he cannot evade our questions. He has evaded them assiduously since he was appointed, which is shocking. St. Brigid's hospital in Carrick-on-Suir was closed in the middle of a pandemic. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, should be ashamed of herself. The Minister and Minister of State will not meet the residents, staff or councillors in Carrick-on-Suir.

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