Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Ceann Comhairle to ask the Minister to reply to me in writing. I have never got a reply in writing and I have raised the matter with the Minister and with the Government Chief Whip, Deputy Jack Chambers. It is an insult to the people who elect me in Tipperary.

Why are the HSE and the Department of Health not collating figures of people who have a delayed diagnosis of cancer and a missed diagnosis? There are 38,000 people waiting for colonoscopies alone and many other diagnoses have been delayed. What are we hiding?

Regarding the AstraZeneca vaccine, in March, student nurses were forced to take it. The Taoiseach said they had to take it or their careers would be forfeited. In April, they were told that they should take it. In February, it was not safe for young people and in March they had to take it or their careers would be forfeited. In April, we see that it is only for over-60s. What about the nurses who have been forced to take this? How is the Government going to compensate them or give them any sense of fair play or respect?

The Taoiseach met church leaders last Thursday. On the same day, the Minister was signing into law penal sanctions against priests who say mass, hear confessions, go to mass or whatever else. What does the Minister have against the church and the Christian faith especially? It is time that he answered the question and told us.

I want to know about the UAE too. I know many teachers who want to come home. They are vaccinated. They have been tested numerous times. Why should they be quarantined? That question has also been asked.

When will the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, meet with Councillor Kieran Bourke and the action committee which they committed to meeting with, to save St. Brigid's Hospital in Carrick-on-Suir? It is a wonderful facility which the Minister shamefully closed down. It is a shame on the Minister of State, Deputy Butler. It is up the road from her own family who might be using it. They closed it down and turned their back on the people.

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