Joe O'Toole (Independent)

The role of the Minister is not to read X-rays or run hospitals but to ensure they are run as well as a Minister can so ensure and that if problems arise, they are dealt with. Blame cannot attach to the Minister in this matter. That is a disinterested independent view. What has happened is absolutely appalling. I understand what the Opposition parties have to do and do not blame them for so doing because Members on the other side of the House would do the same. Some Members have been here long enough to know that I defended the former Ministers for Agriculture, Mr. Ray MacSharry and Mr. Ivan Yates, a few months later, on the same issue. We do not do ourselves justice in carrying on like this. While we need answers, we also need to recognise and understand what it is a Minister is supposed to do. If anybody believes having a different Minister in the Department of Health and Children would change matters at hospital level, that is not the way it happens. We should consider this point.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to debate an issue I raised yesterday. I hope the Leader of the House will accept the amendment because I know it is completely in tune with his own thinking. I also know Members on the other side of the House, certainly of the main Government party, agree with me. My proposal relates to the non-Government motion No. 17, "That the Broadcasting Act 2009 ... Levy Order ... be and is hereby annulled". The levy - there is a huge increase in the charge - imposes an unacceptable and unfair burden on local radio stations, in particular, at a time when their advertising and other income has dropped by perhaps 50% or more and they have had to cut jobs and reduce their activities and services. It seems to be a daft time to do this. I accept that money needs to be raised and it can be done. However, it should be left to the Joint Committee on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to go through the accounts in order that we will have cogent reasons, proper arguments and a clear understanding of why this needs to be done now, what the new costs are and how the equation to implement these decisions was arrived at. I ask the Leader for his support on this matter and to follow his heart on it. I ask that he accept my amendment that motion No. 17 be taken as the first item on the Order of Business.