David Norris (Independent)

I join my colleagues in calling for a general debate on the health services. What has been raised at the moment is the question of the standards of truth that prevail at election time. That is an important issue of morality and principle. I am afraid that this hospital issue has now precipitated a highly volatile and dangerous political situation at a time when the country could do without it. I wish people would be forthright and honest when dealing with these issues, and not just seek electoral advantage.

With regard to HIQA, I have no intention of disparaging the personnel and I do not have any names. I recall sharing an Adjournment matter with a Member from a Government party who is now in the other House dealing with the closure of a home for the elderly in Carlow. HIQA was involved in that and the reasons given basically amounted to a lack of proper paintwork. Elderly and vulnerable patients were forcibly evicted in what was clearly an economic move, which was not right. Our concern should be the welfare of citizens, particularly the elderly and vulnerable. I hope we will have a good examination of the economic principles or whatever is behind such action. It is a dangerous and regrettable position and I am sorry we have been precipitated into it as nobody will benefit.

Related to this is the serious issue of the haemorrhaging of young doctors from this country. All our medical graduates, including doctors and nurses, are going abroad because they cannot get proper jobs. At the same time we are importing 200 personnel from Asia and making special provisions to find out about language skills and the taking of exams. That is appalling. I do not mean to denigrate the people involved but we are asset-stripping medical resources from vulnerable people on the other side of the planet.