John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

——the voters, and most importantly the patients will be rightly nervous about what is coming down the track. The wording of the motion denies the reality which is in fact known to Members opposite. Seldom does useful or quality work emanate from wilful self-delusion. This is no exception. The opening line of Senator Browne's motion refers to the giving away of public land to private developers. Only 22 days ago, on 9 May, Senator Browne was in his seat when I stated the following:

The Opposition bizarrely objects to the plan to deliver 1,000 new public beds by private sector investment. Typically clouded leftist Labour thinking managed to describe this as privatisation. Fine Gael seems to base its opposition on the mistaken view that public land will simply be given away. It will not. Public land will, of course, have to be leased or bought at commercial rates.

The Tánaiste reiterated this a few minutes ago.