Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

This morning I referred the serious budgetary and life-threatening position at University College Hospital, Galway to the Joint Committee on Health and Children for a full and open investigation. I want the books to be opened. They will be opened. They will be willingly handed over by UCHG to highlight the historical under-funding at that hospital but, more importantly, as Senator Fitzgerald said, since Galway was designated a centre of cancer excellence Government policy has failed us. The €12 million allocated for cancer drugs for end of life care for patients has now been cut by €3 million because the cancer drugs have not been made available, and 30 specialist posts have not been delivered. I ask the Deputy Leader to indicate in his reply when the Minister, Deputy Harney, will come into the House to address this issue, which I raised yesterday. I even called a vote on it. This issue must be debated in the House.