Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I welcome the deferral of the strike but, unfortunately, outpatient appointments and elective procedures scheduled for tomorrow were cancelled and, sadly, there is no time to reschedule these appointments. It is fortunate for the parents of schoolchildren that they do not have to take a day off work.

I am concerned about how under-resourced our health service has become. Today's newspapers reported on the 17% increase in breast cancer deaths in the State while yesterday a significant report by St. James's Hospital highlighted a striking increase in the incidence of HIV-AIDS. I seek an urgent debate on how the health service is being resourced. I refer, in particular, to Mullingar Hospital which has been subject to numerous bed closures. I have asked repeatedly for the Minister for Health and Children to be invited to the House and she has not attended. Why is that? When will she be in?