Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

Turning our back on the Head of State of another country is wrong. We can go in and ask the hard questions while performing our civic duty by welcoming the Prime Minister of a friendly state to this country.

Last week I asked for the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children to come into the House to address the serious issue of transport services being withdrawn from elderly people attending dialysis and oncology treatment. Unfortunately, in the last week the service has deteriorated even further. One lady from Clifden in Galway has written to me to try to ensure she has transport available. She is 50 miles from the treatment centre, living on her own and on a medical card yet her transport has been withdrawn for hospital appointments. This is causing her serious distress. The chief executive of the Irish Kidney Association was so upset by this situation that he faxed Professor Drumm on 26 April. He only received an acknowledgement of his fax yesterday, three weeks later. This issue must be dealt with so I ask the Leader to ask the Tánaiste to come into the House immediately to address it.