Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

In view of the fact that we are not a talk shop and that the Leader has the ear of the Taoiseach, will the Leader highlight the Private Members' motion tabled by Fine Gael last week on how we could save the country €34 million to €40 million by reducing the number of Ministers of State by eight and the number of Oireachtas committees by ten and by not allowing serving Members to avail of ministerial pensions?

To pick up on what my good colleague across the floor stated on the Midland Regional Hospital, in the recent survey conducted by the HSE, Mallow Hospital, St. Vincent's and the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar were described as satisfactory. The overall results of the survey were deplorable. No hospital got a good rating but at least those three were satisfactory. The idea that services would be taken from the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar at this crucial time for the people of the midlands is an outrage.

I have raised the issues of the services provided by the colposcopy and sexual assault units which will be removed from Mullingar to a hospital in Tullamore which has no obstetrics or consultants to deal with such issues. Will the Leader bring the Minister for Health and Children to the House and raise the issue with her and the Joint Committee on Health and Children that dermatology services will not be removed from Mullingar Regional Hospital? This is like the underlying operation of the Hanly report. We need to keep our services for local people in local areas. I call on the Leader to ensure this continues.

I agree with Senator Prendergast's comments on defibrillators and CPR. I compliment the GAA and the VHI. The VHI has provided free lessons to people on using defibrillators. I do not know where is the defibrillator in this House. There is no point in having them tucked away in presses or lockers if people do not know where they are or how to use them. The same applies to bingo halls, churches and schools. This is another issue which the Minister should come to the House to discuss.