Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome Sinn Féin's change in policy on that issue.

On previous occasions I raised the retention of medical graduates from Irish colleges in the health service. I have received a report showing that only 43% of the hospital interns recruited last year have remained in training in our hospitals. That is a worrying trend. Last year the HSE faced major difficulties in filling hospital posts. This problem needs to be tackled as it will not go away. We, the taxpayers, spend money on putting people through third level education, but in a period of 12 months to two years following graduation, the doctors are no longer working in Irish hospitals. There must be something wrong with the system. I ask the Leader to facilitate a debate on this issue at an early date?