Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

Today Dr. Gilmartin, president of the Irish Thoracic Society spoke about us having one of the worst incidences of respiratory disease in the world. Of all the people diagnosed with lung cancer in this country, only 9% survive, which is a very stark and upsetting statistic. For the umpteenth time I ask that the Minister for Health and Children should come to the House to discuss the serious situation of the number of children suffering from asthma and the fact that Sligo still has no respiratory consultant while Waterford had one appointed just last year.

Last week I was advised that 5,000 children are awaiting hearing tests. There is a two-year waiting list for eye testing. Children with lazy eyes are waiting to have their eyes tested and may always have problems with their sight as a result. This is not a Third World country. We have more money in this country than many other countries, yet we have a Third World health service. I will not mention all the areas in my constituency I have raised in the House umpteen times. The Minister, Deputy Harney, needs to come to the Seanad and answer questions rather than blaming the Health Service Executive and using it as a backdrop for her own failings.

The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, decided to terminate the summer works scheme on 6 December. The Taoiseach came to my constituency the day before the general election to announce the building of a school. We were informed last week this school will not be built. Athlone community college, which is at design stage, will not be built. Killucan national school, which I raised in the Seanad, is now not due to be built. The Minister needs to come to the House and answer——