Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

If accountability was working properly, a Minister from the Department of Health and Children would be in here today outlining what has happened in Tallaght Hospital and how 23,000 patients who are awaiting an X-ray will be dealt with because that is the most important issue. The anxiety being experienced by those patients should be dealt with and resources put in place. I ask the Leader to ensure that one of the five Ministers from the Department of Health and Children comes into the House today and gives us an update.

There has to be accountability and questions arise. The CEO said this morning that the Minister was informed in December. She said she really only got the full picture yesterday. We need to hear why there is this discrepancy in the two stories. That is very important. If this democracy is to mean anything, there must be accountability. That is not to say the Minister is responsible for what has happened but she is accountable.