I support the call by Fianna Fáil for a debate on health care. We have called for that several times in the past few weeks.

I also support the call for a debate on cuts to rural bus services, which is very topical at the moment because of a decision by Bus Éireann to cut almost 100 rural bus routes. Under the changes, 15 communities will be left with no direct services and many more communities will experience cuts to their bus links. The plan is to remove route 5, from Waterford to Dublin via New Ross and Enniscorthy, which runs four times a day, and the route from Rosslare to Dublin via Wexford, Bunclody, Tullow and Tallaght is also to close. These routes employ seven drivers and service the major hospitals in Dublin, as well as UCD, Trinity College Dublin and the DIT. It is inconceivable that towns like Bunclody, Castlecomer in Kilkenny and Ballyporeen will have no direct service to Dublin, while in the west Roscommon and Castlerea, among others, will be cut off from Westport.

It is interesting that the chief executive of Bus Éireann, Martin Nolan, said that if the Government wanted smaller towns and villages on commercial routes to be serviced, it would have to provide a subsidy. This is a bit like the HSE and the Minister for Health having a row about who takes responsibility for what. Will the Leader arrange a debate on this issue in order that we can have a discussion with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, who must take primary responsibility for what is happening? There is an issue for the management of Bus Éireann as well, but the loss of bus services to rural towns, which have already lost post offices, Garda stations and so on, will be another attack on rural Ireland. We have had discussions in this House about the decline of rural Ireland. We must do our best to ensure these services remain in place.