Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Dooley would like to discuss the serviced land initiative with the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government because it is fine to have guidelines for planning, but if there are no services for houses, planning permission is redundant.

Senator O'Meara is concerned about the plans of the HSE to organise hospital care around a smaller number of centres. She also raised the matter of foreign adoptions, about which I will make inquiries. I will invite the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to the House. There are some countries, such as Romania, which have closed down their foreign adoption systems because they are applying for entry to the EU and have moved on in this regard. It is an issue worthy of debate.

Senator O'Meara also raised concerns about the national treatment purchase fund, which is a mystery beyond all mysteries. The Senator cannot understand it, nor can I. If people do not get into hospital on their first try, they will gain admission on their second attempt if they go through the national treatment purchase fund. I have met many people who have availed of the fund and they are delighted with the speed with which they were treated.