Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I am sure this is the first time the Minister of State has heard two Fergals in this House in the one night.

I ask the Minister to enlighten us about the state of the health service. We have heard about hospitals that plan to close down beds because of the lack of resources in their current budgets, the Mater Hospital being one example. I visited the hospital when I heard that 115 out of 500 beds are due to be closed. We have heard the same story from other hospitals, and there is a widespread feeling that this is just the tip of an iceberg.

We are hearing denials from the Department of Health and Children that budgets have been cut. The Minister for Health and Children mentioned last week that the Mater Hospital's budget had been increased by 9% this year, and at the same time we have the bizarre situation that patients are being sent abroad for treatment they cannot get in this country – while the numbers of hospital beds is being reduced for lack of resources.