The second point I wish to raise has the potential to be a time bomb in 2005. There is a huge problem in regard to the shortage of nurses, particularly in the intensive care units of our hospitals. More than 5,000 nurses have come from overseas, 90% of whom are Filipino. In the Mater Hospital, 80% of the nurses in the intensive care unit are Filipino. They have become a vital component in the health care industry here and are employed on two year contracts. Given the tight budgetary constraints of health boards, the contracts are renewed on a three monthly or six monthly basis. Many of the nurses are based in Dublin and have no living-out allowance owing to the high rental costs in Dublin. When their husbands come here, they are debarred from being considered for work permits. In the context of the health care industry, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment must look at this issue because these nurses are attracted to countries such as Australia. They can even go to Belfast where they can get a permit for their husbands if they decide to work there. They have been attracted to the United States where they undergo an examination. In 2002, the three year diploma course became a four year degree course. In 2005, no Irish nurses will come on stream from the hospitals and we will face a potential time bomb. At present, approximately 1,600 Irish nurses come on stream each year. I ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to look at this issue and do something about work permits with a view to our being compatible with other overseas countries. I appreciate I have been allowed considerable latitude on this issue. There was a tragedy recently in Crumlin Hospital due to a lack of staff in the intensive care unit. This could happen in other hospitals and the Minister for Health and Children should remove any impediments to the recruitment of nurses.