Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I support calls for a debate on health and the comments on the reports leaked to the media. The Government provided €11 million to purchase Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe from the Franciscan Sisters. It also provided funds to buy a site in Tuam for a hospital. It is, however, regrettable that there is so much bad publicity about these projects which should be supported. The Government has shown the way by providing the money. I call on the Leader to arrange a debate on health funding, particularly in regard to hospitals because there is much concern about the Hanly report which only looked at two areas of the country, yet every hospital about which one talks seems to have been downgraded or is about to close.