Seanad debates

Thursday, 5 June 2008

10:30 am

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

It is important that adequate time be given to this Bill, which is comprehensive and needs time.

I raise the issue of transport. We have seen from the financial returns to the Government that the country is facing a very serious situation. The wasteful attitude of the Government in regard to many projects and poor decision making will impact greatly on people who need front-line services in health, education and other areas. It now looks as if money is not available for those critical front-line services.

I note that for the first time, Cabinet papers have been released under the Freedom of Information Act and that the former Minister for Public Enterprise, the Leader's colleague, Deputy Mary O'Rourke, lost a Cabinet battle to link the two Luas lines. This is an example of poor decision making and the folly of not linking those lines is there for all to see. It is a major source of annoyance to commuters in Dublin and will result in huge expense to put it right, probably €70 million.

This week young people in west Dublin going to sit their leaving certificate were delayed getting to school because of massive traffic jams and chaos on the N4 and M50. Even a minor accident apparently leads to total chaos and traffic jams.

I have asked previously for a debate on the national development plan to ascertain how the Government will tackle the new financial situation and to have a discussion with the Minister for Finance on the Government's priorities at this critical time in the economy given the changed circumstances.

Given the critical nature of the public finances, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that we have that debate today to discuss the key decision making needed, the poor decision making of the past and the urgent need to examine these issues critically to ascertain how people who wish to avail of front-line services, especially in the areas of health and education, can be protected.

We hear of an increasing number of elderly people not getting the home care packages they need and of an increasing number of elderly people being kept in hospital because the step-down facilities are not in place. Let us invite the Minister to the House to debate the reality of the financial situation.

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