Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I compliment the House on the visit of President Pöttering. His presentation was very helpful and clear. He exemplified all that is good and important about a "Yes" vote for the Lisbon treaty.

In 2002, the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, promised this country a world class health service. By no means do we have that. I take this opportunity to ask the Leader and the Cathaoirleach to convey to the Minister for Finance and Taoiseach-in-waiting, Deputy Brian Cowen, the need to have the courage to consider replacing the current Minister for Health and Children with somebody who is nationally committed and patient focused. I use the term "nationally committed" because in the past few days I learned that the Minister is ready to outsource all laboratory work in an EU tender. Cervical smears will no longer be analysed in this country. The Minister has not invested in the laboratories in this country and there are no accredited laboratories in any of our major teaching hospitals. That is a disgrace. The National Treatment Purchase Fund is another example. The Minister's actions are proof that she has no confidence in the HSE to deliver, while she fails to reform or manage it.

Last week the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, said there is not a "red cent" for a hospital in the north east. What does that say about the capital programme for health? Our health service is in serious trouble. The Cathaoirleach is very close to the new leader in waiting and I ask him to use this month to urge the replacement of the Minister for Health and Children. I do not ask this easily but I seek a patient focused Minister. This morning, University College Hospital in Galway had its highest number of people on trolleys, a total of 40. The Minister is currently outsourcing smear tests to US laboratories, which have 80% to 85% reliability for results whereas in Galway, for example, there is 95% reliability. That is the standard of care for which this Minister stands. I would like the Cathaoirleach to make an intervention on my behalf.