Michael Mullins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----the maternity services at Portiuncula Hospital and that the services there would grow, be enhanced and further funded.

I also welcome the announcement yesterday of a framework agreement between the Minister for Health and the IMO which sets out a process for engagement concerning the GMS GP contract and other publicly-funded contracts involving GPs. The framework agreement sets out a proposed process for engagement on all aspects of the GMS contract with GPs, with due regard to the IMO's role as a representative body of medical practitioners. That is a very welcome development because there seems to have been a log-jam prior to this.

On International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, I ask the House to honour the memory of the UN peacekeepers who lost their lives in the cause of peace and to pay tribute to all of the men and women who have served and who continue to serve in UN peacekeeping operations and to acknowledge their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage. Ireland currently has approximately 400 Defence Forces personnel serving in 13 different missions throughout the world. It would be appropriate at some time in the future for the Leader to organise a discussion with the Minister for Defence on our peacekeeping missions abroad so that all Members of the House would have a full understanding of the role of our peacekeepers.

Statistically, this is the most dangerous weekend on our roads. I appeal to all road users to exercise great care so no family will get that awful knock on the door, informing them a loved one has lost his or her life. It is incumbent on all of us to highlight the need for increased road safety and ensure the number of deaths on our roads is kept to an absolute minimum this year.