That will give us a good opportunity to discuss it at greater length. I appreciate that.

To return to domestic matters, I know we are at the first anniversary of the Government and so forth, but last week I was in the north west and met many people there. I was struck that, a year after the general election, people were still talking about broken promises that were made in respect of that area. The Taoiseach may recall that during the election campaign the Labour Party promised that Sligo would become the ninth centre of excellence, while Fine Gael promised to return cancer services, which had been removed, to Galway. The current Minister of State, Deputy John Perry, went so far as to promise it within the first 100 days of office and said he would resign from Fine Gael if that did not happen.

In Donegal, the now Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, visited Lifford and - as he did in many areas across the country at that time - gave categorical assurances that the 20-bed unit would "under no circumstances be closed". He said its proximity to the Border was one of the main reasons.

Even though HIQA's report stated Lifford provides excellent care, the Government is announcing, one year on, that Lifford is to be closed along with approximately another 800 community nursing beds across the country. Both Fine Gael and Labour promised more home care packages with additional funding to community care. Fine Gael went further to state home care packages would be applied fairly and consistently across the country.

Can we have a question, please?

One year later, 1,000 people will have their home helps removed. People across the north west are angry and annoyed at the fact there has been no attempt at all to fulfil the commitments that were solemnly given by the Taoiseach's party and his partners in Government, the Labour Party, to establish the ninth centre of excellence for cancer care in the north west. Will the Taoiseach indicate if this commitment and that made on Lifford hospital will be fulfilled?

I meet people from the north west regularly. They are consistent on a strong programme of issues that should be addressed in the north west which have been neglected for many years. Both parties in Government have particular views about several locations around the country. The programme for Government is very clear about the introduction of universal health insurance at the end of the Government's term of office, the provision of primary care centres and teams, the development of strong community care protection and the provision of special facilities in particular locations. The Government is working on this programme.

The question of the provision of adequate health facilities in every hospital is always under consideration. The relevant medical teams which are looking at the future role of and the expansion of services in smaller local hospitals are in the process of completing their review. The future of those particular groupings of hospitals will be a matter for public consultation.

The review of the groupings of larger hospitals with smaller ones is also under way by the medical and clinical teams. When that is finalised, it will become a matter for public discussion and a decision by the Government.

Deputy Martin's question about the long programme of issues in the north west is one with which I am intimately acquainted. One can go to many other places and hear equally strong views about issues too. Suffice it to say, the Government's intention is to implement its programme for Government regarding health services. It is a challenging way forward in changing the structure and decision process that will lead to best care and attention for patients which should be central to every health programme.

There is not a long list. I suggest the term "intimate acquaintance" is the wrong one for the definition of the Taoiseach's relationship with the issues in Donegal. It is getting hostile in terms of people's sense of grievance about a breach of promise. It is specifically around cancer care and the commitments made by the Minister of State, Deputy Perry, the Tánaiste and the Fine Gael Party to establish a centre of excellence in cancer care in the north west. There was a solemn commitment given.

Does the Taoiseach intend to uphold that promise? Will the Government establish a centre of excellence in cancer care in the north west? Yes or no?

The Minister for Health was in the north west for the past two days. He met with a range of personnel from the medical profession from a number of centres in the region. As I said, the Government is intent in implementing its programme for Government. The programme is clear in the sectors I have already outlined for Deputy Martin.

The Government is now having the response from the clinical and medical teams with full co-operation and flexibility as it makes arrangements to deal with the transition of a significant number of persons who are leaving the health service as a result of the new pension arrangements.

That has nothing to do with my question.

The Government is fully intent on implementing its programme for Government which is very clear on this matter.

It is not in the programme for Government.

The Taoiseach did not answer my straight-forward question.