I share Deputy Munster's concerns regarding the FOI Act in County Louth. It is important we bring it to the attention of the Minister and the Information Commissioner to get a resolution.

I rise today specifically about the crisis in speech and language therapy in the Drogheda area. I am getting anxious parents who are concerned about children not being able to get appointments, particularly in view of the change in the boundary. There is a huge issue because we cannot get answers to parliamentary questions we put to the HSE because the trade union Fórsa is refusing to allow answers to come to us. I ask the Tánaiste that we try to resolve the Fórsa strike, which is what it is, a ban on information to elected representatives, which is unacceptable. Also, can we get the facts about the speech and language therapy waiting list and the additional resources that are needed there?

Is the Deputy is referring to Fórsa's decision not to progress correspondence because of the current situation in the HSE?

Yes.

I do not condone it. I think it is wrong, and Fórsa should desist, in the interests of democracy. There is also the fact that, as I said earlier, €7.1 billion has been allocated to health since 2019. We can have arguments and debates about whether we need to do more, and I accept that, but we need a sense of perspective on these issues as well. That is my view on it. Above all, the right of the public to information is something that should not be undermined.