Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I support the calls for a debate on health but this is such a wide area I question whether it is wise to cover it in one effort.

I draw the attention of Members to Dr.Risteárd Mulcahy's article on health published on Sunday and his book which was published yesterday. He talks about the prevention of illness rather than just spending money on its cure. When discussing the regional hospitals and the challenges facing them, it should be noted that significantly more can be achieved by the prevention of illness and by promoting health living, whether that be a fight against obesity or more exercise or a concentration on education in schools. It is a case of keeping ourselves healthy rather than just curing ourselves whenever we fall ill.