All we get is official denial.

The annual health service plan has been with the Minister for some time. I understand the director of the HSE sent a seven-page letter to the Minister which addressed the Government’s policy on medical cards and the figures put in on budget day, which seem to be made up. When will we see the publication of the health service plan?

As if Deputy Martin did not make up figures when he was health Minister.

Will the Tánaiste agree to a full debate on the health service plan?

As the Leas-Cheann Comhairle stated, there is a procedure for raising issues when a Deputy is unhappy about what has been put on the record of the House. I urge Deputy Martin to use that procedure.

I cannot have a photographic memory of everything said on 20 November and every figure given. I encourage the Deputy to go down that road.

If I am not mistaken, the Tánaiste gave the same figure.

The health service plan was submitted to the Minister for Health on 25 November. As I am working from memory, I hope the Deputy will not get back to me in a few days if it turns out to be 26 November.

I will ask Martin Wall in The Irish Times.

The plan was submitted on 25 November and the Minister for Health has 21 days in which to consider it. My understanding is that the period of 21 days will expire on 16 December and between now and then I expect the Minister to bring the plan to the Government with his recommendations for what he intends to do with it. Thereafter the plan will be published and I expect that there will be some arrangement to discuss it, either in the House or one of its committees.

On a point of order, did the Tánaiste say it would be debated in the House?

No, he did not.

I ask the Tánaiste to agree to a debate in plenary session.

That is something we can consider. The plan must first be considered by the Minister and then by the Government. As it must then be published, let us cross that fence when we come to it.

The Tánaiste can cross it now.

I cannot because we do not have the------

The Tánaiste can commit to having a debate.

The new man is putting the Deputy under pressure.

I note that the leader of Fianna Fáil, in his usual combative way, has now used up almost seven minutes of the time available for the Order of Business.

I was never as combative as the Deputy.