Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

We should focus on this issue and work with the financial institutions. We should let the financial institutions know that the market has changed and what was entered into some time ago does not apply today. They need to play ball with the new market. They cannot hold a rigid financial position.

I ask the Leader to check out the following issues for me. I understand there is a difficulty in the current capacity of the maternity hospitals in Dublin and a delay in required scans for the early stages of pregnancy. This is causing difficulty throughout the maternity hospitals. I ask the Leader to get clarity on this point.

I listened with interest to the debate on Haiti in the Chamber last night and participated at the meeting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs . Many Irish aid agencies are working in Haiti but there is no effective emergency response and therefore there is no effective co-ordinated response to the situation. I have received some e-mails from members of Dublin Fire Brigade, paramedics and qualified personnel who want to assist but cannot be accommodated. One of the e-mails refers to an agency based in Miami that will accept them. It is very sad that there is the Irish Red Cross, Concern and others and yet people who want to go and help cannot be accommodated.