John Gilroy (Labour)

It is. I have a question to ask the Leader. On a substantive issue, perhaps we could all reflect on our contributions. It is obvious from the comments of my Labour Party colleagues, Senators Bacik, Kelly and others that the confusion surrounding the health service and the strategy underpinning what is happening in it indicates that all is not well.

Letterkenny hospital, Roscommon hospital and a litany of others such as St. Mary's Hospital on the north side of Cork city could be added to the sorry list of those whose core functions are being removed despite election promises to the contrary. I support Senator Bacik in her calls to ask the Leader to bring the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, here to dispel some of the confusion.

We all know that in a vacuum every sort of rumour flourishes. The Minister should come in here and explain his plans and those of the HSE for the proper organisation of our health service.