David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This morning it has been revealed that a supporter of the Minister, Deputy Reilly, owns the site on which the centre in Balbriggan is to be built. The former Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, who was given responsibility for drawing up the criteria to establish the locations where the various primary health care facilities would be built, resigned on a point of principle as a result of the way in which the senior Minister engaged in what obviously amounts to stroke politics. This matter goes to the very heart of that for which the Labour Party claims to stand. If it genuinely stands for the delivery of health care based on need, how can it sacrifice one of its own Deputies in order to support a Minister who has clearly been involved in stroke politics? What has happened in this instance is appalling. The Minister for Health should come before the House to explain his actions. He came before us recently to discuss an item of legislation and no one wanted to take from the debate on that legislation by raising other issues. We want the Minister to come to the House to explain what is happening in respect of the primary health care centres, to outline the criteria used in respect of the 15 added to the list and to fully account for his actions. What is taking place at present is causing damage not just to the Labour Party and the Government but also to the roll-out of primary health care centres across the State. That is a tragedy for everybody involved.