Phil Prendergast (Labour)

I rise to ask the Leader when we will have the debate that is meant to continue on the HSE. Dr. Chris Luke almost had to close his accident and emergency department in the Mercy Hospital, Cork, last week due to a chronic shortage of doctors. This mess has been well flagged and Dr. Luke has indicated there is a problem with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, the Government and the Irish Medical Council that has created the problem. Doctors are working day and night and must be paid enormous sums in overtime. Such doctors could easily make a mistake that would not be in the best interests of the patients.

I have spoken on numerous occasions about the moratorium on staff in hospitals and the effect on the delivery of health services, overcrowding in accident and emergency departments, the blocking of beds by patients fit to be discharged and other issues pertaining to the HSE. Will the Leader indicate when the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Mary Harney, will return to conclude the debate on the HSE? When she was here the last time she was not allowed to answer any questions because the Government speakers kept telling her how wonderful she was to make a speech without any script. The Minister made a speech but answered no questions, although many relevant questions were asked, and we are still interested in answers. It was agreed with the Leader that there would be a resumption of this debate but when will it happen?