James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I support the amendment to the Order of Business proposed by Senator Brian Hayes and I sincerely hope Senators O'Brien and Wilson will vote for it. It is important that they should in the interest not only of the people of Monaghan but also the people of the entire State. It is scandalous that the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children has permitted new theatres and top quality services to go under-utilised throughout the State. It was heartbreaking for Mr. Walsh's family to discover beds were available nearby in Cavan hospital, about which the Minister informed us yesterday. She has allowed health services to collapse since she took over the portfolio more than a year ago.

It is disgraceful and disgusting to hear the insults thrown by Government members. The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources stated last week that the €150 million wasted on the PPARS project and the €3 million wasted on a website that never existed were only a drop in the ocean.