David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

Despite the banter and excitement that surrounded the request for the Minister for Health to come to the House, the issue is a serious one. Senators from all parties have commended Ministers, such as Deputies Bruton, Coveney and Shatter and others, on participating in frank and forthright exchanges in this Chamber. We merely want the Minister for Health to meet us for a similar discussion. Each Member can point to crises in local hospitals, whether it be ward or bed closures. The Minister's response to the potential strike in the Mid-Western Regional Hospital in Limerick was appalling. Regardless of my view of the Minister, all of us share one concern, that the health service is not working. There is a crisis and a lack of accountability and transparency. I made the point on several occasions that the Minister and his predecessors have imitated Pontius Pilate by washing their hands of any responsibility for what is happening. The responsibility is put back on hospital management and the HSE and there is a merry-go-round of no one, from the Department to the Minister to the local hospitals, taking responsibility.

We all accept that savings have to be made but the recruitment embargo is driving up costs for hospitals because they are forced to take on agency staff. We are faced with the current crisis because hospitals have run over budget by taking on agency staff simply to keep theatres, wards and emergency departments open.

In fairness to the Leader, he has indicated that the Minister will come to the House at some point, but I ask him to fast-track the invitation in order that we can debate the issues arising next week. The exchanges we have had with other Ministers have been fruitful, but this Seanad since its formation has not yet had an opportunity to hold discussions with the Minister for Health, even though health is one of the most pressing issues for the people. It is not good enough that the Minister should hide from Senators or treat this House with contempt by refusing to attend for a debate. I appeal to the Leader to ask the Minister to come to the House for a discussion on the problems facing the health service at an earlier date than the end of October.