Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I agree that it is time for another debate on the health service, which has featured heavily in the newspapers over the past two weeks for one reason or another. I would welcome the attendance of the Tánaiste to speak to the issue.

We should all recognise that, as many of us have said for years, one cannot have low taxes and state-of-the-art public services. I make the point to Government that we must grasp the nettle and recognise the need to invest in health services with moneys obtained through taxation in one form or another. I find it embarrassing, with all due respect to my Independent colleague, that we will have to go to Dunnes Stores or similar shops to have our injuries attended to in future. It brings it to a low level of ridicule that we cannot get any further than that.

In view of this I call for a rational debate on the health service. I agree with Senator Brian Hayes that the Tánaiste should outline her plan for how it will work with an appropriate timescale attached to it. That would be welcome and would allow people to have an element of certainty. We could also benchmark it as it progressed.

An issue of great concern to the tourism industry in my native county appeared in the media last night and again this morning. I have no doubt Senator Coghlan will have a word to say about it.