Health, cochlear implants, Narrow Water and Northern debate
Gerry Adams seeks updates on health funding, bilateral cochlear implants, the time-limited Narrow Water Bridge funding and a debate on Northern affairs; the Taoiseach supports a debate and discusses ongoing contacts and bridge concerns.
I have a few very brief issues to raise. In respect of voted expenditure in health, does the Taoiseach expect that there will be a supplementary budget for health this year? Could he clarify what progress has been made on the issue of bilateral cochlear implants for deaf children?
In respect of Narrow Water Bridge, the Taoiseach knows the funding from Europe is time limited and it was not clear to me where the process is at this time. Could the Taoiseach clarify this, if it is possible?
Would it be possible to have or consider having a special debate about the current situation in the North? That is not to say it is all doom and gloom. It is not, but there are issues of grave concern and it might be better to have some of them ventilated in this Chamber. Could the Taoiseach consider the possibility of that in the upcoming period?
Comment on this
I do not have any objection to a debate on North-South issues. It might be useful at an appropriate time. A number of contacts are being made with the First Minister, Deputy First Minister and different Ministers, and that might help the process in so far as up-to-date information about particular issues is concerned.
I answered a question from Deputy Martin about Narrow Water Bridge. I am very conscious that it is time limited. I am also conscious of the impact of this on North-South community connections, with this being the first physical connection across the lough. Discussions are taking place arising from the cost issue identified by Louth County Council, and I would like to see those completed.
I will have to come back to Deputy Adams in respect of the implants question. I pointed out last week that the overrun in the health Vote has been significantly reduced from what it was last year. The Minister for Health has made it clear to the Department and the HSE that he expects any overruns to be reigned in. From that perspective, he has had direct contact with the agencies of the Department and I hope that can be achieved.