Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I concur with the previous speaker's comments on the Supreme Court decision in the case of Ms Louise O'Keeffe. I warmly welcome the decision and congratulate Ms O'Keeffe on her success.

I support the view on human rights and on the situation which prevails in Afghanistan.

I ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Barry Andrews, to come before the House in the next number of days, whenever it can be fitted into his schedule, to brief us on matters regarding inter-country adoption, the difficulties and issues he is being advised on and how he intends to address and overcome these. I ask for that to be accommodated as soon as we can fit it into our schedule and the Minister of State, Deputy Andrews can fit it into his.

I wish to raise my concern about the application of the public service recruitment embargo, particularly its application by the HSE and the impact on front line staff, which includes first responders and nursing staff. It is with regret I learn the INO is talking about strike action at its annual conference. I put it to the Leader that we all know these are challenging and difficult times, but we know by working together we can address these challenges and reach consensus and we know in today's society it is best to avoid industrial action. I ask that the mechanisms of the State are made available in the best interests of patient care and for the Leader keep the House advised and briefed on that matter.