James Bannon (Fine Gael)

It is a bit rich to speak of that for the people of the constituency of Longford-Westmeath who in 2002 were promised that €57 million was ringfenced for the completion of stage 2B of Longford Westmeath General Hospital. In May of this year, the amount was watered down to €14.5 million to fit out the shell. Many questions need to be answered. With so much money available why has the project not been completed for the people of Longford-Westmeath? We are sick to the teeth of the broken promises of the Government on that issue, which will not go away. It is important for the Leader to invite the Minister for Health and Children to the House to have an urgent debate on the issue.

Earlier our esteemed colleague, Senator Mansergh, spoke of his full confidence in the Taoiseach. He should have also included the Tánaiste, as he has become the new dummy around the Oireachtas.