Mary Henry (Independent)

I support everything Senator O'Toole said. There is no point in encouraging the privatisation of public utilities only to complain when they fail and, worse still, expect the taxpayer to reimburse those who invested in them. The Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, proposes to build private hospitals adjacent to public ones on public land. This scheme has not been discussed in either House but the contracts for construction are currently out for tender. What will happen if these private hospitals fail, as similar facilities have done all over the world? Will the Leader arrange a debate with the Minister for Health and Children to discuss this extremely important issue?