John Whelan (Labour)

I did not interrupt Senator O'Brien. I strongly reject the accusations being levelled at the Minister, Deputy Quinn.

I commend the Ceann Comhairle and the Commission of the Houses of the Oireachtas for the hard work they have put in to ensure that the public will, in real time, get to see the affairs of the Dáil, Seanad and Oireachtas committees. This is vital progress. I call again on RTE to take up its responsibilities as a broadcaster under its public service remit. UPC is now broadcasting the business of the Houses on channel 801, as arranged by the Ceann Comhairle. To date, RTE is refusing to broadcast such matters into people's homes across Ireland. As the public service broadcaster, it is incumbent on RTE to broadcast the affairs of this House. RTE receives a considerable subsidy from the State through the licence fee.

I also commend a Private Members' Bill introduced in the Dáil by Deputy Mattie McGrath dealing with the theft of precious metals. All parties should embrace this measure which seeks to tackle a serious problem that is putting businesses and jobs at risk. Last week, we saw a despicable act in Castletown, County Laois, where a memorial to deceased children was stolen. We have got to the stage where these people would take the whites out of one's eyes. It is incumbent upon us to introduce legislation to severely penalise those who steal monuments and precious metals. Such legislation should also place an onus on dealers who buy such objects. There would be no such market if dealers did not purchase these objects.

Will the Leader arrange, at the earliest opportunity, for the Minister for Health to return to the House for the sole purpose of discussing his policy on care for the elderly. Two community hospitals have closed In County Laois this week, in Abbeyleix and Shane. This is causing consternation and great distress in the community. The HSE is hiding behind HIQA and using it as an opportunity to close down what we used to call county homes across the entire country. There will not be a public bed left if the HSE has its way. It is winding down and closing hospitals by stealth. I do not believe it is the Government's policy, so I would like the Leader to arrange for the Minister for Health to attend the House at the earliest opportunity. We should have a balance of care provision between private nursing homes and community facilities.