Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I join with the leader of my party in the House, Senator Fitzgerald, in calling on the Minister for Health and Children to come to the House. I am disappointed the Minister will not be here this week. Last week, we were assured she would be here. We also discussed Seanad reform last week. Surely the relevance of this House should be to debate current affairs such as the health crisis of last week.

I call for a debate on the independence of RTE. I welcome the new-found interest of RTE and "The Late Late Show" in balance in its programming. It is a pity "The Late Late Show" did not have balance prior to the general election.