Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I wish everybody a happy new year. I ask the Leader for a debate on health. Hospitals in Roscommon, Portiuncula and Mullingar, which is an important regional hospital, have had their budgets savagely cut. Consequently, people have been on trolleys over the Christmas period. The staff in Mullingar regional hospital are doing a tremendous job but there is palpable fear about what was rumoured - it was only a rumour - that the accident and emergency department would be closed. That is not the case in Portiuncula or Roscommon. I have received numerous phone calls from people who are worried that accident and emergency departments will be closed.

Another accident and emergency consultant is needed in Mullingar regional hospital and it is necessary to open the 41 beds that have been closed in order that we do not have the appalling situation whereby people have to sit on chairs and do not even have a trolley. I compliment the staff in Mullingar regional hospital for the remarkable job they do. It is one of the top three performing hospitals in the country and is doing a tremendous job.

I agree with my colleagues who have called for a debate on the VHI when the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, is in the House. Why was the report on it not published before it made savage cuts and burdened our older people? They are living in palpable fear of not being able to afford health insurance. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister to discuss hospitals in the midlands and the VHI charges. I want the report on the VHI to be published before it introduces increased charges.