Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

We should have debates in this House on a regular basis on the economy. The deficit is not €4 billion this year and it will not be €4 billion next year; it will be €25 billion every year, by the looks of things, for the foreseeable future. That is so big it could end up breaking this country. We all need to be realistic about what we say in debates on this issue. I ask that Ministers be brought in here every week - there are only six weeks to the most horrendous budget in the history of the State - to outline what they would like to see done in the next couple of years before we go completely down the Swanee.

The other big issue at present is we are faced with a potential - I say "potential" because I do not want to be seen to be scaremongering - pandemic in this country. If anyone did a little research behind the headings, he or she would realise that the HSE's campaign for the swine flu vaccination programme is an absolute shambles and is falling apart. There are not 1,800 doctors participating in this scheme. The HSE has been sending out the swine flu vaccines to general practitioner surgeries that never sent it any documentation whatsoever. There is a serious need for the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to state that she is responsible for something and to look into what is going on with this potential pandemic in the health care system. At present, my gut instinct is that it is a mess.

Since this is the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Republic by former Taoiseach John A. Costello, some time in the next six weeks, before we break for Christmas and this year is finally over, we might in some way acknowledge the sacrifices of all the men and women who contributed in the past centuries to bringing about a Republic of Ireland.