Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator David Norris in respect of people not turning up for appointments. Having spoken recently with people working in hospitals even people who turn up knowing their appointment will take up half an hour of the time of doctors means there are people sitting around doing nothing. It is quite common for that to happen. A more proactive approach should be taken to ensure that if people cannot turn up for appointments that hospital authorities are notified.

I wish to raise an issue that has arisen in the north side of Cork city, that is, the amalgamation and reconfiguration of four schools. One of those schools has more than 170 pupils and is in place for 203 years. The proposal is that it would amalgamate with a primary school which does not have adequate facilities such as playing pitches and recreational facilities for students. However, it is being dealt with in an unplanned manner and the Minister for Education and Skills should intervene. While there are adequate facilities in the North Monastery primary school in Cork-----