Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. Earlier somebody alluded to the fact that I am not a politician. I am definitely not a politician because I am so confused and so comforted by all of the Senators words this evening. I know we all feel the same. There are 1,400 families, of which we know, who are depending on what we do this evening but I am also hearing about this terribly frightening budgetary process. I am shaking in my boots already.

I had a quick chat with the Minister of State. She gave me her word and said she would arrange a meeting with the organisations within a week. I am very comforted by that fact but she said there was the budgetary process. Before this evening, I wanted to be able to come in here with a commitment that we could work together. I must have called the Minister for Health and his Department on seven different occasions and I e-mailed him three times but I could not get him to call me back or meet me.