Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

In view of the outburst by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, regarding the proposed location of a new north-eastern hospital at Navan that there was not a "red cent" available to build such a facility, it seems there is a shortage of money for capital projects within the Health Service Executive. In that context, it would be appropriate to invite the Minister for Health and Children to the House at the earliest possible date to discuss the issue.

I support Senator Pearse Doherty regarding the pharmacy dispute. As he quite rightly said, 1 May is approaching quickly and on that date, pharmacies throughout the country will stop dispensing to medical card holders. That will be a very sad day for this country. This is one of the few services within the HSE that works well.