Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

We need a major debate on the matter, particularly as Cork Harbour is the pharmaceutical capital of Ireland. Have the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the Minister, Deputy Gormley, been involved in a cover-up? For how long have they been aware of this problem? What have they done about it? Like Senator Hannigan, I believe we need a big clean-up and an investigation.

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the role of the Health Service Executive in light of this morning's report that there has been an increase of 14% in the number of staff in our amalgamated health service. The Leader is a man of great experience and immense knowledge. Can he explain to me and to the people how we have gone, following an increase of 18,421 administrative and management staff, to 106,272 employed in administration? There is an increase from 16,137 at the end of 2004 to 18,042 now. Can the Leader explain how an amalgamated health service that has seen an exponential growth in middle and senior management is now operating a pay freeze and cutting recruitment in front-line services? I would like to hear his response.