Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On a more conciliatory note, I agree with Senator White's welcome for the ESRI's statistics. They are good to see, as they clarify the misinterpretation of a previous report and confirms what each of us believed, namely, social welfare rates in Ireland are comparable with other European countries' rates and not a disincentive to work.

Will the Leader confirm that the House will debate primary health care on 17 October?

We were to have a Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, in the House on that date. I take the opportunity to express my deep regret at the announcement of her resignation as Minister of State in the Department of Health last night. I respect the former Minister of State's integrity and there is no doubt that she has immense grassroots support within the Labour Party and she represents the values of the party. Within the Labour Party, people appreciated the stance she took on what a Minister, Deputy Varadkar, described as looking like a stroke. That related to the siting of primary health care centres in the Minister for Health's constituency.