Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Ar an gcéad dul síos, tá mé ag lorg díospóireacht ón gCeannaire mar gheall ar na giorraithe atá ag cur isteach ar na daoine, go mórmhór sa Roinn Sláinte agus Leanaí. The Minister for Health and Children has once again abdicated responsibility in her provision of care to the people. I am calling on the Leader to facilitate a debate on the health cutbacks that have affected people. Senator Bradford rightly made reference to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008, which is probably one of the most important Bills that we will have before us in this House. It behoves the Leader, and as the representative of the Government in the House, to do what Senator Bradford has requested. We owe a duty of care to our elderly. This Government had neglected that responsibility until now. The Bill could be fast-tracked into this House.

As legislators, we have an obligation to the people who put us here. They are the ordinary people of Ireland who are now being asked to bail out the banks. We have given them a dig-out, and the banks must now pass on the interest rate cut to their customers immediately. For once I agree with Senator Butler. He is correct in saying it is the small holders who are being affected. Small businesses and tenants in shopping centres are doing no business at the moment and they are being forced to pay penal costs in rent. There is an obligation on the Government side to act with us on this side of the House.

It is extraordinary that Senator Leyden castigate us on this side of the House. We are not criticising Senator White at all. We are criticising Government policy, which Senator Leyden has supported for the past 11 years.