James Bannon (Fine Gael)

It is important that we have a debate on this issue. Why are we sending so many patients abroad when we are funding a report, the findings of which recommend reducing the number of original hospitals to 11? That is scandalous. In addition, accident and emergency services in hospitals are being downgraded. The people will not tolerate this. It is important that we have a proper debate on this issue and not one in which Members will be hoodwinked. In that context, I refer to the motion introduced by the Progressive Democrats last week which welcomed what the Government is spending on the health services at a time when it is not spending anything on them.