Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I concur with Senator John Crown and thank him for his continued support for Roscommon County Hospital and the reputation of Dr. Patrick McHugh, one of the finest physicians who has ever practiced in any hospital in Ireland. The Department of Health has treated him very badly and owes him an apology.

On Senator John Kelly's statement on the proposed strike by prison officers, the Government does not seem to be aware of the contribution prison officers make, given the recent stabbing in Tallaght and the difficulties in Portlaoise. I come from an area in County Roscommon in which there is a very large prison in Castlerea which is very effective at providing a very good service for the State. Instead of Senators John Whelan and John Kelly coming into the House and bleating about problems with the Government, why do they not raise these issues at a parliamentary party meeting with the Tánaiste, Deputy Joan Burton? As Deputy Prime Minister, she can change the Government's policies. Instead, they go on about it constantly on local radio and here. They are not raising it where it is important.