Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

The Government has pursued a policy of health services privatisation and attacked public health service provision. That has been the agenda, particularly of the Minister for Health and Children. Sometimes the Government has been happy to hide behind the Minister and state it is her agenda. The reality is that the privatisation of health services is part of the agenda of Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and the former members of the Progressive Democrats.

It was signalled last year that after 2014 St. Luke's Hospital would continue to be used for the benefit of cancer patients. We heard the chairman of the hospital board, Mr. Padraic White, say as much. I ask the Minister of State to confirm if that is still the case, that after 2014 St. Luke's Hospital will continue to be used for the benefit of cancer patients?

Many have spoken about St. Luke's Hospital. Thank God, I have never been a patient there, but I have visited relatives and friends in the hospital which is rightly regarded as unique in the health service because of its fine setting on its own grounds, its peaceful and tranquil atmosphere and, above all else, its excellent staff, all of which combine to ensure there is a positive health care experience for patients suffering from very serious conditions. That is the reason none of what I have mentioned should be lost.

Senator Norris made a point which I also made on Second Stage and was attacked for doing so by the Green Party. The point is that to a certain degree Senators are elected - we are elected by county councillors. We sometimes pass legislation that has life and death implications. If the right treatment is not provided for a patient at the right location and at the right time, it can have life and death implications. Therefore, we have to carefully scrutinise the legislation we pass and weigh up the pros and cons. It would be remiss of us, as legislators, not to listen to the patients who have passed through the system and the staff and others who have had a positive experience of the hospital, the stories of many of whom have been related in the Chamber today and previously on Second Stage. The voices of 180,000 people are very loud. The Government can bring forward any Bill it wants and as long as its members toe the party line, it can change the position in whatever way it wants. However, just because it can do something does not mean it should do so. In this case, it should listen to the 180,000 voices calling for the Bill to be rejected. At the very least, the proposed amendments, particularly amendment No. 2, should be accepted.