James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I support my colleague, Senator Brian Hayes, and others who raised the issue of electronic voting. The Minister needs to make a statement on this because he has ignored expert advice. There is great concern among the public and in local authorities following demonstrations to officials. It is important we address this matter before it is too late.

I call on the Minister for Health and Children to come to the House to debate the issue of deteriorating health services. I want independent inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two children, one in my county and the other in the neighbouring County Cavan, over the weekend. It is wrong that health boards are investigating themselves. We need independent inquiries into the circumstances and the findings of those inquiries should be debated in the Houses of the Oireachtas with a view to bringing about improvements in the health service.

The health service is in crisis. Yesterday we heard that 200 people throughout the country were awaiting hospital beds. There is a crisis in every accident and emergency unit. I have met doctors and nurses who are retiring from the health service because of stress. There is currently a national emergency that must be addressed by the Government, which has shamelessly let down the people on this issue.