Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I do not think anyone else is going to take a bet on that happening. I support calls by others for a debate on the extent of cutbacks in the forthcoming budget. We are getting a drip-feed of increasingly worse news about the true extent of the cuts which the Government intends to make, from €3 billion to €4 billion and now to €5 billion. While I, like others, very much welcome the sharing of information with the Opposition spokespersons, it is something that Deputy Joan Burton has sought for many months - indeed some years - to allow us to have informed debate about the scale of the crisis. As she stated, it is on an horrendous scale. We need a debate in order that we can have greater clarity about the true extent of the cuts, not only for the finance spokespersons but for all of us and for the people of the country who are being drip-fed this news that seems to get worse by the week. They are being kept in an almost deliberate state of intimidation and fear about the true extent of the crisis. As we are looking at a four year budgetary plan, it is very important that we are given greater clarity about the real state of the finances.

I join others in calling for a debate on health care, especially on the location of the children's hospital about which there is great controversy. There is public concern about what is happening to the funding and the true state of the plans. There are also concerns about the inadequacy of the proposed site at the Mater Hospital.

I commend the very brave and courageous young campaigner, Orla Tinsley, who has a very powerful piece in The Irish Times today.