I refer to the Government's initiative for a fundamental review of hospital services in the south-east region and in particular to review the status of Waterford Regional Hospital with a view to downgrading it from category four to category three. Will the Taoiseach allow time for a debate on that issue? Government Deputies are due to meet the Secretary General of the Department of Health. Deputies on all sides of the House would welcome the opportunity to have a debate on that specific issue and on the general review.

And on the Cork situation.

Do not forget Loughlinstown.

These matters are relevant to the country as a whole because there would be increased demand on other regions such as Dublin, Cork and elsewhere. I do not think it is a tenable or sustainable proposition but it is a large-scale proposal. A meeting was held in the audiovisual room this morning with a group from Waterford who came to lobby Deputies. Given that many thousands of people marched, I think we should have a debate. I ask the Taoiseach if he could arrange a debate in Government time-----

I am sorry, Deputy, I wish to advise the House that the Deputies for Waterford have been granted a Topical Issue debate on that matter.

It is broader than that. The Taoiseach should allocate Government time to allow a debate.

Perhaps the Whips could discuss it.

Does Deputy Martin not want to see enhanced services in Cork?

Please, we must return to the Order of Business.

We have them and they are in huge demand. People are under time and access pressure. They have a lot to cope with.

I ask the Taoiseach when is the health (amendment) (No. 2) Bill due before the House.

It will be introduced next year. The decision on the matter of hospital groups will be taken by the Government in the next couple of weeks and there will be an opportunity for a full debate in the House. Some of what I have heard around the country about this issue has been nothing short of outrageous misinformation-----

The Taoiseach should talk to his own backbenchers.

It would be appropriate in the interests of the people that we should base our discussions and our arguments on the facts. As Deputy Martin is aware, medical politics are far more Machiavellian than political politics. We should have a rational discussion-----

-----in the House-----

This matter is totally out of order on the Order of Business.

-----in a couple of weeks time when the decision is made. For the information of the House, the Government today considered the health strategy from now to 2015. I expect the Minister for Health and the Ministers of State will deal with that matter on Thursday. The discussion and debate on the decisions made in respect of hospital groups will be held probably in three weeks time.

I repeat that the Deputies for Waterford have been granted permission to raise a Topical Issue matter on the potential impact on Waterford Regional Hospital of the proposed reconfiguration of hospital services.