Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

I discussed the issue of the fiscal compact with my leader since the debate and I propose, on his behalf, that group leaders in the House meet shortly to decide on the format for a debate. I propose we have a Committee Stage style debate on the fiscal compact, perhaps with time limits imposed, but these should be longer than one minute. While we do not need unlimited debate, we need to go through the compact line by line in a positive and constructive way. That will certainly be the Fianna Fáil approach. Such a debate would do the Seanad and the public a good service. Last week, Senator Leyden spoke about the Vincent Browne programme and the public service it did by teasing out the issues. We could do that in the Seanad, but substantial time must be given to do it and for Members to speak. I respect, of course, that we cannot have filibustering on it and Fianna Fáil Members will not engage in that.

I also call for a debate on the health services. Before the election and to date, Fine Gael Deputies in County Meath claimed they were in discussion with investors on the issue of the proposed regional hospital for the north east. In response to Deputy Billy Kelleher and Sinn Féin to a parliamentary question, the Minister, Deputy Reilly, stated he has had no such contacts with investors. I believe the HSE holds the same position. I seek a debate on health care because it is the wrong way to run the country and its services if the provision of capital funding for the health services is being dictated by local Fine Gael Deputies on an ad hoc basis. Funding should be made available under the Minister's leadership. I want the Leader to tell me whether Fine Gael Deputies have the authority from the Minister for Health and from the HSE to meet investors to talk about hospitals, without funding or authorisation from the Minister or the HSE. Can they continue to do that or are they just bluffing the people of County Meath? Perhaps there are no such investors talking to them and the Minister and the HSE are right that there are no plans to build the hospital, which is in clear breach of their commitments before the election. Perhaps the Deputies are caught in a trap because before the elections they talked about the investors they met - phantom investors - and they must continue with the myth. It is not appropriate for Deputies to be meeting these people without authorisation from Government. We need to clear the air and I call for the Minister for Health to do that.