Ulick Burke (Fine Gael)

I will be brief. I support Senator Norris's call for an urgent debate on the war in Iraq. As each day goes by it seems that the civilian population of Iraq becomes more and more a pawn in the conflict.

I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Health and Children into the House as a matter of urgency next week to discuss the report of the task force on medical staffing because there are many hospitals experiencing great uncertainty about the proposed cutbacks and downgrading. I believe the Minister has that final report now but for some reason – obviously a political one – he is delaying its release. Could the Leader request the Minister to come in here to allay people's fears? Some of these fears may be unfounded but others may have serious consequences for many hospitals, particularly Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe, which is due to be downgraded.