Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes, the Leader of the Opposition, raised the matter of the very sad death of the man in Monaghan hospital. I speak for all of us on the Government side of the House when I say that, as others do, we feel deeply for his family. I heard his sister speak on "Five Seven Live". There is no greater love than that of a sibling, and she spoke so movingly and with feeling about her brother's death. Senator Brian Hayes moved an amendment, seconded by Senator Ryan, to have statements on Monaghan hospital following the conclusion of No. 1 on today's Order Paper. Senator O'Toole, inter alia, suggested that statements be taken tomorrow if it is not possible to take them today. I am simply putting the requests in context.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children has agreed to a one-hour statement on the issue tomorrow. She has asked me, through her spokesperson, to make it clear that she may not be able to be here in person. She will endeavour to be here but, if not, an appropriate Minister will take the debate tomorrow. I can understand how business would be arranged already and I ask the House to accept the explanation that has been given on the issue.

I would also like to make it clear that whoever comes to the House for the debate, whether it is the Tánaiste or a representative of the Tánaiste, will not have the facts. Senator Bannon was very vociferous in demanding that the facts be given today or tomorrow but that cannot be done because a report has been ordered and that will take some weeks. What we will have is a general debate on the circumstances that led to this man's untimely death but so that everybody is clear, the facts will not be given because the report has been ordered. When the report is produced the facts will come out and we will have a debate here on that. I simply make that point to Senators Brian Hayes and Ryan.

It has emerged that a bed was available for this man in hospitals in Cavan and Drogheda. We heard Professor Drumm this morning on the radio. I did not think his tone was lecturing; I thought he was clear and logical.