Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

This is probably one of the few parliaments in Europe which is not discussing the eurozone rescue package today. While I am aware that legislation will be taken on Thursday of next week, the House needs to discuss the many issues which arise from the decisions taken at the weekend, not least the question of how Ireland will refocus on creating jobs. I was struck, as will have been others who watched "The Frontline" programme last night, by the discussion and debate on the number of reports the Government had commissioned on job creation. The last time I remember a Government commissioning so many reports they were on the health service. The result was the establishment of the Health Service Executive and we all know where that has ended up. I am concerned that we do not have evidence of the Government's intentions to introduce a jobs strategy and, therefore, call on the Leader to ensure we will have a debate on the matter as soon as possible. As the dole queues lengthen, we need to know what are the lessons being learned from the many reports the Government has commissioned, what is its plan of action and where it is. Notwithstanding bailouts at European level, unless the economy grows and jobs are created, we will not go anywhere. Job creation is the key task facing us and I ask that the House focus on the issue as soon as possible.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Health and Children outline to the House what precisely is being proposed with regard to cuts in accident and emergency services. This issue has created major anxiety because many patients are already waiting on trolleys for attention in accident and emergency departments. In addition, the plan announced by the Minister to eliminate waiting times in accident and emergency departments has clearly not worked. We need an update on her plan and the proposed cuts which will cause considerable hardship and concern. I have raised two critical issues which the House needs to address today.

With the anniversary of the publication of the Ryan report imminent, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin yesterday referred to dark forces in the church. If his statement implies that there is still denial about sexual abuse and cover-up, I ask him to make clear what precisely he means and about whom he is talking. Clear legal guidelines are in place on the action that must be taken if a person suspects that child sexual abuse is being covered up. I remember, for example, a debate in which Members discussed concerns that the Health Service Executive was not able to access information from various dioceses. In the context of the forthcoming anniversary of the publication of the Ryan report, the need for the utmost clarity and the clear procedures in place regarding knowledge anyone possesses about child sexual abuse, I hope we will have clarity from the archbishop in the days ahead.