On a more conciliatory note, I agree with Senator White's welcome for the ESRI's statistics. They are good to see, as they clarify the misinterpretation of a previous report and confirms what each of us believed, namely, social welfare rates in Ireland are comparable with other European countries' rates and not a disincentive to work.

Will the Leader confirm that the House will debate primary health care on 17 October?

We were to have a Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, in the House on that date. I take the opportunity to express my deep regret at the announcement of her resignation as Minister of State in the Department of Health last night. I respect the former Minister of State's integrity and there is no doubt that she has immense grassroots support within the Labour Party and she represents the values of the party. Within the Labour Party, people appreciated the stance she took on what a Minister, Deputy Varadkar, described as looking like a stroke. That related to the siting of primary health care centres in the Minister for Health's constituency.

The Senator's party backed the Minister, Deputy Reilly. It made its choice.

It is especially disappointing that she cited as a reason for her departure the delay in implementing the promise in the programme for Government for a universal single-tier health service and access to primary health care and medical services based on need rather than income. This is a key commitment and as I noted in a previous comment in the House, it is very important that this Government can deliver on its promise to deliver radical reform of the health care system. That reform was singularly lacking under the 14 previous years of prosperity, when a previous Government presided over a deepening inequality in the health service, particularly with the doomed co-location plans.

Whoever takes on the role of Minister of State in the Department of Health with responsibility for primary health care-----

The Senator might get it herself. She would be very good. I would support it.

The Constitution allows it.

-----will need support across both parties in government.

The person will need the full support of the Minister, Deputy Reilly.

This will ensure we can deliver on this radical and important reform of the health care system. The former Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, is a frequent and welcome visitor to this House. She has put forward very important new proposals on reform of alcohol sales, and there was cross-party support in this House for her proposals on minimum pricing and restrictions on advertising. As she also had such support for her proposals on primary care, she will be sorely missed.