John Paul Phelan (Fine Gael)

I agree with Senator Walsh's call for a debate on pensions. I would welcome it if the relevant Minister would attend the House in the near future to facilitate such a debate.

Has the Leader made any progress in the context of encouraging the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food to come before the House, as soon as possible, to discuss recent outbreaks of diseases in meat-producing animals on the neighbouring island?

I agree with colleagues who requested a debate with the Minister for Finance regarding the figures that were published recently. Such a debate should take place as soon as possible.

I also agree with those who raised the issue of the HSE and funding and cutbacks relating thereto. We engaged in a number of debates — to one of which I contributed — on health last week. There seems to be a growing belief among those on the Government benches as well as those in Opposition that the HSE is almost out of control. The Taoiseach had difficulty answering a question on health in the Lower House and I not sure whether the issue relating to the answering of parliamentary questions there has been fully resolved. Forums have been established across the country to facilitate councillors but, as far as I can see, these are not operating satisfactorily. Briefings are held for Oireachtas Members, who are herded into Buswells Hotel, and everyone in the southern half of the country is invited to attend. However, sufficient time is not provided to allow people to discuss health issues.

I do not understand why the Department of Health and Children employs officials if, as currently appears to be the case, everything is being farmed off to the HSE. I agree with Senator Leyden and I wish to provide a concrete example relating to duplication in the health service. I was not particularly satisfied when the HSE was established and the health boards abolished but I was prepared to give it the benefit of the doubt. As far as I am aware, however, the press offices that served the health boards remain in existence and those employed in them continue to issue press releases. Surely the central office in Naas should provide this facility for the entire country. If such a process cannot be streamlined within the HSE, then where the hell are we going?