Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)

The Leader mentioned that the Minister for Health will attend the House. Yesterday, there was an announcement that there would be a 25% cutback in staffing in outpatient departments in Cavan and Monaghan hospitals. The proposed cutbacks in Cavan are completely unacceptable when one takes into account the further curtailments that occurred in Monaghan hospital last year. This demonstrates that the HSE is completely out of touch with reality concerning the public health service.

I was advised that the Minister is to sign the HSE service plan tomorrow. This will mean that each HSE area will seek to impose further cuts within its reduced annual allocation. There has been no consultation at local level with nurses, representatives or elected representatives on this issue. We cannot accept a situation where after the event occurs, the HSE involves itself in discussions, not about the decision but about how it will be implemented. There should be a real process of local consultation.

Given the Minister is signing the HSE service plan tomorrow, will the Leader bring the Minister to the House as soon as possible to discuss this plan and how he will protect front-line services and ensure that patient safety is not sacrificed, as will be the case in Cavan and Monaghan hospitals? The HSE has stated this will not affect clinics but the reality is that when there is a cutback in staff there will be further waiting lists and people will suffer, which is unacceptable. I ask that this might happen within the coming week, given that the cutbacks are to take effect in Cavan from 23 January. It is important that, as elected representatives, we have some dialogue with the Minister on this issue as soon as possible. It does not merely affect Cavan; the HSE service plan affects all areas.

Will the Leader take into consideration that yesterday's debate on small businesses will continue next week? I am sure that many speakers will wish to contribute to the debate on suicide, to take place this afternoon. Perhaps it could be extended, given we have so much time.