Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

Ba mhaith liom cur leis an iarracht díospóireacht a riaradh sa Teach fá dtaobh de scrúdú drugaí dóibh siúd atá páirteach i dtimpistí bóithre. Fosta, ba mhaith liom cur leis an iarracht díospóireacht a bheith againn fá dtaobh de chúrsaí bia, go háirithe an cheist a d'ardaigh an Seanadóir O'Toole i dtaobh bia ag teacht isteach sa tír ó Bhraisil agus an imní mór atá ar an IFA agus ar daoine eile i dtaobh cé chomh sláintiúil is atá an fheoil seo.

I support the request for a debate on the ongoing dispute between the Health Service Executive and the pharmacies, a matter I raised some weeks ago. Since then, a number of Senators have requested a further and fuller debate. It is an issue we need to tackle head on and we need to have the full facts in front of the House.

I call for a debate that I sought last week on community child care because of the change in the way it will be funded by the Department — from a staffing grant to a subvention base — which means community child care organisations throughout the State find it impossible to remain in existence and some have had to increase their fees by up to 28%. This will be a national crisis unless we deal with it. The Minister of State with responsibility should come into the House and debate the issue. I raise the matter now because I did not receive a response last week when I requested a debate and I hope one will be forthcoming today.