Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I support what Senator O'Toole said. Like him, I completely bought into the Croke Park agreement, on which we had a wonderful debate in this Chamber. I stand with him in complimenting the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, on the blueprint she has given to every Department, either before the budget or immediately after it. Every single Member of the Seanad has sought reform of the HSE. Before its establishment, we sought reform of the old health boards. We have all been critical at one stage or another of how the health boards operated. When the HSE came into play, the staff were just transferred over and there was no reduction in numbers. Now, when we have a very good blueprint to be more lenient with that staff and to pare it back, people are pouring cold water on it. It is not a compulsory scheme, it is optional. People can opt into it or not go near it. It is an excellent scheme and one that we, as Members of the Oireachtas, should promote and encourage.

With regard to one of Senator Coghlan's points, we all read the Sunday and daily newspapers. There is a lot of scaremongering, untruth, innuendo and rumour being peddled in the newspapers.