Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Bannon talked about hospitals and asked about the need to treat patients outside the country when reports were being issued about hospitals here. I would welcome a debate on the Hanly and Brennan reports when they are issued. Senator Kitt referred to the position in which Portiuncula Hospital found itself following the report in the newspapers.

Senator Minihan referred to the leaked Garda report. It appears that way but we must await developments in that regard. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform was quite explicit. As I understand it, he did not berate anybody but simply made clear that he had not been asked for extra resources. Senator Norris asked whether it was the Garda which had leaked the report. We should suspend judgment until we know more. The Senator also called for a debate on No. 14 on the Order Paper, an extensive motion about Tibet. He also supported Senator Brian Hayes.