Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I support what other Members said about the leaked reports. What is happening concerning those reports is disgraceful. I refer not only to the report in regard to the penalty points system but also the Hanley report on the task force on medical manpower, to which reference was made. That report examined services in the Mid-Western Health Board area and Eastern Area Health Authority and concluded that many regional hospitals should be downgraded. I understand that other hospitals are to suffer the same fate. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the Hanley report.

The issue concerning Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe, affects not only the west but also the midlands. A public meeting on this issue will be held in Athlone in the coming days. Other issues involving the funding of the health services and the future of the health board structure will soon be the subject of debate. Therefore, it would be timely to have a debate on the health services as soon as possible.