Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

The death of Mr. Patrick Walsh has resonated throughout the country. Many people are extremely concerned at what has happened. They are concerned on the basis that the Health Service Executive now administers the system. By eliminating the various health boards we gave rise to the possibility of potential conflict between the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive. People are concerned that those who take the Hippocratic oath in order to save a person's life were obliged to stand by in Monaghan General Hospital while Patrick Walsh died. Speaking on television his nephew sounded emotional and sincere. People are asking how this could happen in present times. While the report will not be published for another eight weeks, it is only right that we should raise the matter in the House, as it is a major talking point around the country.

I also call for a debate on education and in particular the problem of students as young as 14 years of age dropping out of the education system.