Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Quite a number of speakers were concerned at current developments in the HSE and called for a further debate on it. As was stated by Senator Fiona O'Malley, the leader of the Progressive Democrats in the House, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney was here for two days last week. These were very informative sessions. I can certainly ask the Minister to try to find the time to come to the House and update us. I suggest that might be later in the month, since she was only here last week. There are other pressing problems, but €14 billion is an enormous amount to spend. We want to know why this is not percolating down to patients and on all sides of the House we want to see what we can do to help improve the situation.

As regards calls, particularly by Senators O'Toole, Mullen, Coghlan and O'Sullivan for a debate on the concerns of credit unions, these institutions have been among the country's great success stories. Some 90% of the time, credit union depositors will know the personnel they deal with. They are all local people of high standing in our towns and villages and have built up a lovely business in local communities in the course of the past 30 or 40 years. I shall do everything possible to enhance or support the work of the credit unions and I certainly support Senator O'Toole's proposal for a debate in the House.

On the proposal to have the Minister of State with the responsibility for food address the House on the promotion of mutton, I accede to that unreservedly. It is nice to hear our Kerry colleagues in the House, as the experts in this area. We have always had much to learn from Members from the kingdom in the Oireachtas. They are extremely successful whether in the Dáil or Seanad. We certainly know they are here because they are people of great vocal prowess and long may it continue. There is no problem with that.