Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join colleagues in congratulating Michael D. Higgins on his re-election as President of Ireland. It is also appropriate to thank the other candidates, including our colleague, Senator Freeman, who took part. I do not necessarily agree with the views expressed by some of the candidates but this is about democracy and people who put their heads above the parapet should be given recognition for doing so and be thanked for allowing their names to go forward in the democratic process. It is the electorate - not this or the Lower House - that decides how it will vote. The electorate is extremely independent and it gives what it considers to be the appropriate decision. On this occasion it gave its decision in favour of Michael D. Higgins.

I wish to refer to the facility in Cork that was purchased by Cuan Mhuire for €2.1 million in 2007. It was refurbished but has been lying idle for the past eight years. It has the capacity to cater for 18 people at any time but there appears to be a disagreement between Cuan Mhuire, the HSE, Cork City Council and various Departments on how the facility should operate. We are facing into a difficult period in the run-up to Christmas, with people trying to access accommodation. However, this extremely good facility is lying idle because people cannot come to an agreement. Cuan Mhuire set out a careful plan for how it wished to use it, but it appears that some people in the HSE have not come to the same view. In fairness, Cork City Council is prepared to come on board and offer assistance provided agreement can be reached.It is wrong that where money has been invested by an organisation and where it needs the support of the health service and the local authority, we find the facility lying idle. I ask that this matter be brought to the attention of the Minister. I also hope that we might have a debate about value for money within the HSE and about facilities like this being left idle when they could be put to good use.