Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Leyden's call for a debate on the health services. He has been consistent in his opposition to the recommendations of the Hanly report, attending along with myself and Senator Cassidy public meetings against it in Athlone. I have serious concerns that acute operations will be finished and accident and emergency services will be downgraded at Portiuncula Hospital. While we recently had a debate on health services, the extension of the freeze on employment in the health service was only announced yesterday. The Minister needs to attend the House to debate this development. She alluded to the fact that Athlone had low accident and emergency admission figures. That is because there is no accident and emergency service in Athlone.