Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

On the day Fianna Fáil met to elect its new leader, I offer my congratulations to Deputy Brian Cowen. Many challenging tasks lie ahead and the country is in need of serious, consistent and focused leadership to deal with the serious problems with which we are confronted. It is, however, very disquieting that on the day of his election, the HSE is meeting to consider cutbacks to the health service. This week 30 beds were closed in Tallaght hospital and operations will be cancelled in the coming week. It is disquieting that is the scenario we face in our health service.

Many Senators will be aware of the serious limitations on stroke services throughout the country. A recent audit of hospitals dealing with stroke victims highlighted that only one hospital had a specialist unit to deal with stroke victims, despite a recommendation to the Government eight years ago in this regard. This raises questions again about the role of the HSE and the management of our health services. We have called for a debate on the role of the executive and the changes necessary for it to provide effective leadership. One cannot say there has been effective leadership in 11 years of Fianna Fáil Government in the health services if the HSE is meeting today to discuss cutbacks, close beds in a Dublin hospital and cancel surgery and it is absolutely failing to need to meet the needs of stroke victims throughout the State. Thousands of families are affected daily because they are not in receipt of adequate services. A total of 400 families lose a member every year because of the lack of a dedicated stroke unit in acute hospitals. The Opposition has called for a debate and I condemn the Government for its failure to deal effectively with the health crisis.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business because it is imperative that we have a discussion on the Fitzgerald, Doherty and O'Malley reports and on the serious inadequacies of the HSE. Senators on all sides have called for such a debate and it must be taken in the coming days.