Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Norris and Feeney raised the matter of health services. The health services debate is taking place next Tuesday. The Minister, Deputy Harney, will be in the House that day. Lest that it might be construed otherwise in the public domain, I wish to point out that there are wonderful people working in the health services. Most of them have given their lives to their work and the next generation continue to follow in their footsteps.

The results of yesterday's review were disappointing. We were all surprised by the findings. If this is the darkest day and the lowest level of the quality of the service, then it can only improve. I am sure everyone involved will meet the challenge and in the long term patients will benefit from all the activities carried out in recent weeks, the details of which were published. I compliment and commend all those working in the health services who are doing their best. They face an enormous challenge. The health service being centre stage and receiving major publicity can only be for the better.

Senator Regan called for a debate on a referendum on the new EU treaty. I have no difficulty in having such a debate. In regard to the views he expressed about the Taoiseach, I am waiting for him to make one complimentary comment about this great man. The creation of 600,000 jobs in ten years is not a bad record for a very excellent Taoiseach.