Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

While I agree with Senator Mary White regarding the Leader's innovation, yesterday's question and answer session with the Minister for Health and Children was tokenism and a farce. It was a brief session with Members only allowed one question. None of Senator White's questions was answered. An urgent debate on health issues is required because there is no accountability in the health system.

Will the Leader invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the House to discuss the alcohol advisory group report, which was published earlier? It is a matter of grave national concern and a debate is needed on the abuse of alcohol. I implore the Leader as a matter of extreme urgency to invite the Minister to the House to discuss the report.

I have asked the Leader on numerous occasions to invite the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to the House because concern is increasing about the quality of life in both rural and urban Ireland. Community life is disintegrating and an urgent debate is needed because the Minister has not attended the House since this Seanad was elected.