Mark Dearey (Green Party)

I thank the Leader for arranging for the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to come in yesterday to debate the health issues of the day in the House. It was a useful hour with her. Unfortunately, the debate had to be curtailed and I understand she is due back in - I wonder could he confirm when - to conclude that debate. When communicating with her, he might ask if she could make a statement on the recruitment crisis of non-consultant hospital doctors. The first of July is fast approaching and the problems around recruitment are impinging markedly on services in smaller hospitals, in particular, as services must be consolidated into larger ones. The services in County Louth have hit the headlines but there are hospitals around the country where the lack of anaesthetists etc. is threatening the provision of acute services post 1 July. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister to do all in her power to ensure that such recruitment process is completely satisfactorily before 1 July. I understand there are longer-term issues around recruitment that we need to address to make smaller hospitals attractive again to non-consultant hospital doctors, but that is a wider debate. For now, I would be satisfied if we can deal with this problem before 1 July.

I also welcome the partial lifting of the blockade on Gaza. I was struck by Mr. Richard Crowley's reports, where he identified the key gain for the people of Palestine through the flotilla was the restoration of some hope. His expressed desire was that such hope be built on and not be dashed. There are small flickers of hope in what Israel has decided to do, notwithstanding the fact that the blockade remains illegal and that Irish people were taken into detention and deported, brought to Israel against their will etc. There are still many outstanding issues, but I welcome the partial lifting. I hope it is seen as a confidence building measure and a step towards even proximity talks happening again.