Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I join with Senator Fitzgerald in calling for a debate on the Health Service Executive, particularly relating to the issue of homelessness. The "Prime Time" programme last night revealed that seven people died on the streets over Easter in the capital city of Ireland. We are told this was down to a lack of resourcing involving facilities and staffing.

I put it to the Deputy Leader that this is not good enough in a modern, 21st-century Ireland. Last night, immediately after the programme was aired, I walked from the top of Grafton Street to the bottom and seven people were sleeping homeless or begging on the main thoroughfare of our capital city. It is a sad indictment of the legacy of this Government. In the words of the eminent Fr. Harry Bohan, "The Celtic tiger, wonderful though it is, may have made us lose touch with people, roots and soul". That is the legacy and we need a debate on the matter.

With regard to the issue of MRSA, it is not about having beefy matrons or contract cleaners; it is about enhancing the role of part-time and contract workers and having political accountability in the running of the Department of Health and Children and HSE. We should have a debate that is honest and genuine. Those on the other side of the House should stop playing one game, going into parliamentary party meetings and chastising Ministers in private before going out in public to march with them.