Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the introduction of the JobsPlus scheme which was announced yesterday by the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, and the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton. This will be a great boost for employers in small and medium-sized enterprises who are financially stretched but are anxious to take on extra employees. It will also be a great help to those who are long-term unemployed to get back into insurable employment.

Today, I speak on behalf of the survivors of the barbaric medical procedure called symphysiotomy. These women have waited a long time for the publication of the Walsh report. There were great expectations that the report was to be published today, but there appears to be no move on it by the Minister's office. These women are not getting any younger. They need help now. I ask the Leader to advise the Minister for Health that this House demands the publication of the Walsh report without further ado and that the Minister come to the House to debate the findings of that report with the Members.

Will the Leader invite the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Alan Kelly, to the House? I heard him say on the radio news that he is of the opinion that his proposals will enhance rural transport and provide it in places that have never had a rural transport scheme. Perhaps he would come to the House, when he gets a chance, to outline his proposals and how he believes they will benefit the people of rural Ireland.