David Norris (Independent)

Will the Leader agree to a process whereby this House can monitor the health service through a series of debates, as we did in regard to the war in Iraq? I have been contacted by a former patient of St. Luke's Hospital who is extremely concerned about the impending rationalisation that will, among other things, remove access to the hospital grounds. She made the point that a major part of her recovery was a consequence of the serenity of those grounds. I support the Hanly report's proposals regarding the concentration of services in centres of excellence. We must ensure, however, that the conditions in those centres of excellence are not in any way diminished relative to what currently pertains.

I have supported SIPTU in many of the positions it has taken, particularly with regard to the privatisation of Aer Lingus. However, I am horrified at the strike taking place today. It is absolute and utter madness and is deliberately provocative. It blows a raspberry in the face of the travelling public, both domestic and foreign. SIPTU has announced it will allow passengers through the airport but will not unload their luggage until 11 p.m. It is about time it ended this madness.

If the planet survives until the autumn, will the Leader agree to a debate on climate change? She may have noticed that half the Members were fanning their faces with their Orders Papers at the start of the Order of Business. I have heard the word "humidity" used in the last several months, a reference I had never before heard in Irish weather forecasts. I assume it is another of President George Bush's gifts to the planet. It would be useful to discuss this issue and there are motions tabled in this regard in the names of the Independent Members.