Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

We are a proud and resilient people with a history of oppression. The most common question I have been asked throughout the summer, and especially in recent days, is "Are we getting there?". People want to know how we are faring as a nation. Have the cuts and austerity measures paid off? Has all the money we have given to the banks made a difference? I fear we are losing the war. That is a genuine fear - it is not about being negative. I am asking for proper stewardship. To echo what Senator Alex White said, who decided we should vote on the bank guarantee tonight when we must wait until tomorrow to get the information on Anglo Irish Bank? The Government decided. That is putting the cart before the horse.

Senator Dan Boyle asked whether we thought new faces would make any difference. I say "Yes." Who would give €1 million in one year to a fat-cat public servant, as we heard last week? I refer to Mr. Somers, who is a decent man - but why make that decision? Who gave the money to Patrick Neary and Rody Molloy? Who paid them off? The Government did. Meanwhile, there is human misery in Galway, in the HSE west area. I spoke with the clinical director of University College Hospital Galway just before I came here this afternoon. That hospital and Merlin Park University Hospital must find €19 million by December. They have just given €15 million and they are stripped to the bone. He said that any further cuts would threaten patient safety.

Does this Government stand over threats to patient safety? It is a simple question. I have no doubt the Leader will say "No", but if that is the case, I ask him to ensure that University College Hospital Galway and Merlin Park University Hospital are not faced with €19 million in cuts between now and 1 January, which will threaten patient safety. I look forward to hearing the Leader's reply.