Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Senator O'Toole called for a debate on the actions taken to avoid strike action because of the cuts in the budget.

A newspaper article last week stated: "The Health Service Executive (HSE) has said that it is 'seriously concerned' that industrial action in the radiotherapy services, which forms part of the campaign currently under way across the public service, has the potential to compromise patient safety." Irrespective of the industrial action being planned or the purpose thereof, it must not target the weakest in our community or permit those who are undergoing cancer treatment to be hindered or put in any form of danger. If we are to take industrial action, although I hope we are not and I support Senator O'Toole's belief that we have to find a way of avoiding it, let us consider what has happened in the country in recent weeks. The European Central Bank and the IMF have expressed serious concerns about Greece, Spain and Portugal but Ireland is not included in this list because of the steps we have taken. We should not throw away our advantage.