Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

I have listened with interest to the comments of colleagues on front-line services, an issue I have raised time and again with the Leader. I call for a debate on the service provider, namely, the HSE. All political groups in the Houses signed up to the setting up of the HSE. I have expressed my reservations clearly. The Department of Health and Children allocates the budget and the HSE provides the service plan, but in recent weeks and months there has been a breakdown in communication between middle management and the executive of the HSE. We now learn that budgetary constraints are being introduced, as referred to by Senator Fitzgerald, in places such as Beaumont Hospital.

I congratulate the Irish Heart Foundation and Pfizer Pharmaceuticals for the terrific campaign they have led on strokes awareness, pat of which involves acting quickly, early intervention and rehabilitation. However, it will all fall flat if we do not have support services in place to follow up on the good work being done by the Irish Heart Foundation and others. We should have a debate in the Chamber with those charged with the responsibility of delivering health services in order that we can get a handle on what is required to implement the service plan for 2010. We should look at the feasibility of introducing appropriate regional structures to provide for a democratic local input.