Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

I endorse the call of my colleague, Senator Darragh O'Brien, for a debate on the issue of barracks closures which goes beyond any issues of cost because the cost will increase when barracks begin closing down and staff are moved. The staff are the biggest cost and they are protected by the Croke Park agreement.

I raise again the issue of health. It is not being taken seriously by the Government, certainly not in this Seanad. I understand the Minister, Deputy Reilly, has decided that the Seanad is a suitable place for him to address elected Members. He will come before us to talk about issues even though Members on all sides are raising issues every day of the week. He came in here to discuss female genital mutilation, which is an important issue, but on the ordinary health issues that affect people's lives on a daily basis he has been unable to attend. That is distressing and shows a dismissive attitude to the public health services. I understand Fine Gael policy in particular is to go down the private route eventually.

Under the watch of the Minister, Deputy Reilly, and this is the reason we need a debate, he sacked the board of the Health Service Executive. He did that to get more control and to give himself the responsibility, which is a noble aim-----