Phil Prendergast (Labour)

I second the proposed amendment to the Order of Business. I refer to the comments of the Ombudsman, Ms Emily O'Reilly, on the culture of secrecy and legalism within the HSE. They confirm that the HSE is a bureaucratic and inefficient body which appears to make up the rules as it goes along. Some 718 complaints about HSE incidents were made last year. However, this represents the number of complainants only. We can be sure far more people are affected than the number suggests, which shows how inefficient the HSE is. The Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, was in the House for a debate on the HSE, but answered no questions. We were given to understand that she would come back in because the debate was to be rolled over. Members on the other side of the House engaged in the most outrageous tactics to prevent her answering questions. They used up their time in such a way that she did not have to answer questions. When will the debate resume? We were assured this would happen within two weeks. I have a genuine interest in hearing the Minister's answers. She must address urgently the moratorium on staff recruitment in the delivery of front-line services, as a disproportionate number of nurses and midwives are affected. They go to work each day concerned that they could lose their licences because they are trying to do the work of staff who are not being replaced. The ones losing out are the patients, as well as the nurse or midwife who loses his or her licence. The consequences are serious. The Minister must examine how the moratorium is affecting the delivery of front-line services. If there is no replacement of staff, others must try to carry the additional workload. This is not acceptable. The Minister should come to the House to answer these questions.