Today, more than 50 nurses and midwives went outside the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar on their lunch break to protest at the conditions in which they work.

The Deputy should ask a question on legislation, please.

They provide an invaluable service. Since the Government has come to power, the bed capacity has decreased, activity has increased because of the downgrading of Roscommon hospital and Navan hospital-----

The Deputy can raise-----

Deputy Troy should stop running down Roscommon hospital. I am sick and tired of hearing him do so.

Please, Deputy.

The budget-----

A Leas-Cheann Comhairle, could I please finish without interruption?

Order, please.

The resources-----

Deputy Troy has the floor.

Resources have not been increased to match. If they had, 50 people would not have had to give up their lunch break today to protest in the rain at the state of the health service.

What is Deputy Troy's question?

I wish to ask about the health reform Bill. When will the Government introduce legislation and live up to its promise that the money will follow the patient-----

Never.

-----and that the health service will improve? What we have witnessed and what has been proven by a report received in the past 24 hours is that the health service has disimproved since the Government came to office. Could I make a comment in regard to the matter?

There can be no comments.

The 50 people who were outside in the lashing rain today were there to take a stand on the conditions in which they must work and the people who are lying on trolleys in corridors with no dignity whatsoever.

Could the Taoiseach respond on the health reform Bill?

That is what the Government has done for the health service in Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar.

Could the Taoiseach respond to the question on the health reform Bill?

Deputy Troy made allegations that people had fallen off trolleys in Mullingar hospital. I commend the nurses on the work they do.

I did not actually say that.

The Taoiseach has an awful habit of doing that.

They are entitled to put forward their views on conditions. I will bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Health. Deputy Troy constantly gets quite hysterical on such issues, but that is his right if he wants to play the game at home.

The Taoiseach played the game on the back of a truck before the election in Roscommon.

Quiet, please.