Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I wish to make a few brief points on this issue. First, I note my formal disappointment regarding the absence today of the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, who is at the centre of the storm in respect of the health service. Having served on the previous Joint Committee on Health and Children with Deputy Reilly, I have stated previously my belief that he would be an outstanding Minister for Health. I say this without disrespect to the Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, for whom I have tremendous regard and with whose dedication and sincerity as a politician I am familiar from serving with her on the Joint Committee on Health and Children. Deputy Reilly should have been present in the Chamber today and Fianna Fáil Members were informed that he would be present for two hours. It is highly disappointing as I would have liked to have heard a contribution from him on the Bill's technical contents, on what has gone wrong within the system and on what he intends to do. I find sitting here to debate this Bill to be an embarrassment for Members. I do not intend to continue speaking if people-----