David Norris (Independent)

I join with Senator Fitzgerald and others who commented on the tragic situation of the women who attended Portlaoise hospital. I do not know at what rate such machinery goes out of date or whether 15 years is excessive, but it is intolerable that we might have equipment that does not function properly because it is dirty. There is a serious issue of cleanliness and hygiene throughout the hospital system and a problem with management. Management did not address the issue because if it did so, it would have led to expenditure. There is plenty of expenditure for managers but, in the interests of patients, there also should be expenditure for services and equipment.

On 18 October, I raised the fact that the Defamation Bill was being introduced on Committee Stage rather than on Second Stage. At the time, the Leader, Senator Donie Cassidy, said it would be sensible to reintroduce the Defamation Bill on Second Stage as 35 of the 60 Members of the Seanad are new since the Bill was previously discussed on Second Stage. Does the Government propose to be sensible, as Senator Cassidy said, or does it propose to be foolish as newspaper proprietors would wish?