Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to allow the Minister for Health to come before the House to explain the position regarding the accident and emergency department in Roscommon County Hospital. People in County Roscommon are in revolt because of the proposal to curtail the department from Monday next. They will come to Dublin tomorrow to protest because the absence of an accident and emergency department will require people to travel a distance of as much as 125 km in emergencies. This a matter of life or death. I remind Fine Gael and Labour Party Senators that the first hour in an emergency is critical and the absence of a hospital means death. As many as 15,000 people will travel from County Roscommon to Leinster House tomorrow when the Dáil will discuss a Private Members' motion on accident and emergency departments which will be tabled by Sinn Féin and supported by the Fianna Fáil Party.

The former Minister of State, Mr. Michael Finneran, has made an important statement in which he hits out at the single, greatest crime perpetrated on the people of Roscommon by the Minister, Deputy Reilly. People will die as a result of this decision.