Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I ask for a debate as early as possible on the future direction of health spending and the Government's health strategy – if there is one – in the light of the very public row between the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Health and Children. Where is the health strategy now? What is the direction of health policy, particularly in the light of the cuts in the number of jobs in the health area? This issue needs to be addressed urgently.

I agree with Senator O'Toole's comments on the fishing industry. It is nothing less than a scandal that the industry is prevented under EU law from operating at a time when foreign fleets can fish in our waters. Why should rules drawn up more than 20 years ago still be in operation in circumstances that are clearly different?

I also support calls for a debate on electronic voting following the very critical report published in recent days. Those of us who initially were very supportive of the idea are now having doubts. This is the time to discuss the matter in some detail before the local elections when I understand electronic voting will be widely used and which is likely to be the next outing to polling stations. Will the Leader of the House ask the Minister for the Environment and Local Government to listen to our views before proceeding further?