Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

I accept that my Adjournment matter cannot be taken because, as the Cathaoirleach stated, it is repetitious to a motion on the adjournment on 7 May 2009, which is three weeks ago. However, I ask the Leader to look at the reply given to me by the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, on that occasion. She stated in relation to the accident and emergency department at Wexford General Hospital that a report was being carried out and that it would be published at the end of 2009 or early in 2010. We now know, however, that 24-hour call at the accident and emergency department in Wexford General Hospital will cease at the end of the summer. Either the Minister was misled by the HSE or this House was misled by the Minister, and the matter deserves a clear answer. There is not much point in us putting matters down for the adjournment or asking questions in this House if we are to be given misleading responses by the relevant Minister, either deliberately or because she is being misled by her officials. I want the matter cleared up because it is very important. It was a deliberate untruth. We were told that €7.5 million would be spent on the accident and emergency department in Wexford when clearly the HSE's intention was to close down the accident and emergency department. I want that clarified.

I ask for an extension of yesterday's debate on the report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. It was a very good debate but not everybody managed to get to speak on it, and I want that clarified. I also want to ask a question about the Leader's role in the House. I asked him on the Order of Business on Tuesday to put a few specific questions to the Minister responsible so that he would reply to those questions when he came into this House to contribute to the debate on the Ryan commission. The Minister informed me that he was not made aware of any request from the Leader about the questions I asked. Is the Leader obliged to put those questions to the Minister or to merely give an answer in the House? I would like an extension of that debate, which was excellent.