Phil Prendergast (Labour)

Yesterday, I raised the issue of funding for the Arts Council. I wish the new Minister well and point out to him that the budget falls far short of the €100 million which the council needs to do its job. The 3% increase received was paltry and is less than inflation.

I support the call made by my colleagues yesterday to be provided with a break-down of the responsibilities of the HSE. I refer to its press releases. I receive regular unrequested updates and I am aware that others also receive them. The reality is far short of what is presented as fact in such releases.

With regard to industrial action by psychiatric nurses, time prevents me from going into detail but I have good examples of the kind of assaults that have been visited on nurses in the course of their duties. These have been life-threatening events. The HSE needs to intervene urgently to resolve this dispute because nobody can win in the current impasse.