Joe O'Toole (Independent)

As I stated on Second Stage, the problem is that getting information from the HSE always takes time and it is often incorrect. That is the issue here. It is not a case of trying to put extra pressure on it. It is the only way in which we can be sure of knowing what is happening and it is a very reasonable request.

There is a way out of it. The Minister of State could give a guarantee, without accepting the amendment, that she will take responsibility for providing this information to the appropriate committee of the House on a monthly basis. It is important information. This is the kind of information we were discussing. This is the kind of information that led to me to ask this morning that if people themselves decided to pay the cost to the Government, where would they stand.

There is a long-standing convention of the House. If it had not been breached this morning, unfortunately, the altercation would not have occurred.