Joe O'Toole (Independent)

Will the Leader consider arranging a debate on the annual report of the National Competitiveness Council, particularly as the House has discussed the council's previous reports? I requested on a prior occasion that we debate the report because it brings to light certain issues. At this time of the year, when people are involved in negotiations relating to national wage agreements, there is much discussion regarding labour costs, etc. The report to which I refer is an eye-opener in the context of what really costs in this country. If one examines the areas in which unit costs are highest in international terms, one can see that it is not a matter of labour costs because we can supply labour quite cheaply. It is interesting but hardly surprising that the report indicates that the two highest unit costs in Ireland are the cost per hour for the services of a lawyer and the cost of mobile telephone calls. When put in the context of all the discussions we have had over the years about rationalising telecoms and selling off Eircom to make it more competitive and allow for cheaper prices, it is a joke that we are now the highest in the world in terms of the costs of mobile calls for people setting up business here. We are also the second highest in international comparisons in terms of the cost of water and waste. It is important that we make known our views on these issues and are aware of items and services that are expensive. It demonstrates where changes have taken place. For example, insurance costs have improved over the years, through political force more than anything else.

I have not been in the habit of making complaints about the HSE because plenty of other people have been doing so. I am interested, however, in the way it does its business and two issues concerning the HSE that arose in the past week are of serious concern to me as a public representative. I hope this concern will be shared by others.

In one case, the HSE has pulled its advertising from a radio station which had the cheek and audacity to follow it up on issues where the station felt the HSE was not giving a proper service. Rightly or wrongly, a radio station which has been following up on issues with the HSE, which is what the media is there to do, has had advertising pulled. I would like to hear someone explain that to me as there is something fundamentally undemocratic and wrong about it. I have very little sympathy for the HSE if it is not prepared to take punches and fight back.

Deputy Joe Costello has had a weekly demonstration outside the accident and emergency department of the Mater Hospital for the past four and half or five years to bring attention to certain aspects of the department he feels should be highlighted. He also takes the opportunity each week to speak to patients there. This is a praiseworthy action. I do not stand here to defend Deputy Costello and I regularly have been ready to complain about him. I have had many difficulties and differences with him in this House. It is praiseworthy for an elected public representative to see how the public service gives its service at a local level and is seen to do so. It is good for politics. He has now been told he is not wanted there anymore and that he should not be there.

These two issues cause concern for me because of political accountability, what we intended the HSE to do and our relationship with the executive. I would like a discussion on the matter.