I join colleagues in wishing Bernard Hand a long and happy retirement. If he can solve the mystery of how to spend time without spending money, he might share it with all of us in this House. I am sure that Paddy Cullen would have been delighted with Bernard's services when Kerry scored that famous goal. Paddy was described at the time as being like a woman who smelled the cake burning but if Bernard had been on the field at the time, he might have prevented that famous goal.

I am delighted that the Minister for Health will be in the House today to discuss the situation in emergency departments but I note that he will only be here for 40 minutes, which is not a lot of time. There is an issue about the length of time it takes emergency ambulances to reach patients in some instances. In Roscommon, it took over three hours for an emergency ambulance to arrive at the house of a stroke victim, even though the house is located next door to the ambulance depot. There are numerous similar cases all over the country. The 40 minutes that the Minister is granting to this House to debate the issue is the same amount of time it takes ambulances to reach stroke and heart attack victims and the scenes of car accidents. The term "death by geography" is relevant here. A report by Dr. Browne of UCC points out that people in Kerry, Donegal, Roscommon and other parts of the country are dying because there is a shortage of emergency ambulances, never mind them actually reaching the accident and emergency departments. This is due to the Minister's lack of management. He says that his popularity is due to his better bedside manner but he is like a doctor who, instead of using his knowledge as a doctor to treat the patient, just gives tea and sympathy and says, "If only there was something I could do". If only he had been elected to Dáil Éireann, had been in the Cabinet and was appointed as Minister for Health. All he is at present is an apologist for the health service. I am delighted he is coming into the House this afternoon. I am disappointed that he will only be here for 40 minutes but, as I said, that is about the length of time it will take an emergency ambulance to reach someone who needs it.

I ask the Leader to reconsider the plan to take all Remaining Stages of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill 2015 this afternoon and to consider just taking the Report Stage debate today. I also ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the case of Ibrahim Halawa. My party will be tabling a motion on same in the context of a report published by Doughty Street Chambers, the legal team representing this Irish citizen. Mr. Halawa has been on hunger strike for 35 days in a prison in Egypt. His legal team's report contradicts the stance of this Government in not pursuing the same course of action as that pursued by the Australian Government. The Irish Government is saying that nothing can happen in Mr. Halawa's case until such time as the trial is completed but Mr. Peter Greste was released by the Egyptian authorities prior to his trial being completed and while he was still on remand in prison. He was sent back to Australia because the Australian Prime Minister got involved in his case. That has not happened in the case of this Irish-born citizen and we must ask why that is so. If the Australians can do it for their citizens, why are the Irish not doing it for theirs? I ask the Leader to support the aforementioned motion next week because Mr. Halawa has been in prison for two years and has now been on hunger strike for 35 days. However, the Irish Government, a bit like the Minister for Health, is saying "Sure, what can we do about it?". It is not like we have a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-----

That is totally incorrect.

I will forward the opinion from Doughty Street Chambers to the Leader-----

The Senator is way over time.

That Senator Daly would seek to make political capital out of a man who-----

This man has been on hunger strike for 35 days and has been in prison for two years-----

Senator Daly is trying to make political capital out of the man. He is a disgrace.

-----and the Government is sitting on its hands, doing nothing about it-----

Senator Bacik is next.

The Senator is trying to make political capital. It is a disgrace.

Senator Daly, please resume your seat.

-----despite the fact that his legal representatives have argued that everything the Government has said about the case has proven to be incorrect.

Senator Bacik is next. Senator Daly is way over time and must resume his seat.

The Government has said that it can do nothing about the case but the Australian Prime Minister got involved in the case of one of his country's citizens who was in the same position as Mr. Halawa. There is no difference between the cases legally, but this Government chooses to do nothing.

Senator Bacik.

It is the Government's choice to do nothing.

I join the tributes to our colleague, Bernard Hand, who is retiring tomorrow after more than 20 years as an usher in this House. I join others who have complimented and commended Mr. Hand on his unfailing kindness, calmness and good humour. We will miss him in the House but I hope he has a very long and happy retirement. I wish him, his wife, children and grandchildren well on my own behalf and that of the Labour Party Senators.

I thank the Leader for organising the debate on accident and emergency waiting times. A request for a debate was first made on Tuesday, when I took the Order of Business in my capacity as Acting Leader. We submitted a request to the Minister's office on that day and I welcome the fact that he has now acceded to that request, as Members are anxious to have an opportunity to discuss the matter with him.

In respect of Ibrahim Halawa, I support calls for a debate on his case although I am conscious that we have a hugely busy schedule between now and Christmas, with much legislation to be dealt with. It is distasteful to see the Senator seeking to make political capital out of this very difficult and complex case. I was interested to hear lawyers acting for Mr. Halawa from Doughty Street Chambers speaking on radio recently. They spoke in a very careful and circumspect manner about the case. Clearly, there is a good deal of diplomacy going on behind the scenes and we should be united in seeking to see an early resolution of the matter for Mr. Halawa-----

The Australians had no problem in going public and their Prime Minister-----

I did not interrupt Senator Daly-----

Senator Daly, please allow Senator Bacik to speak without interruption.

I do not think it is appropriate-----

-----went international but our Taoiseach has refused to get involved.

Senator Daly should allow Senator Bacik to speak.

As I said, I do not think it is appropriate to be heckling, interrupting or seeking to make political capital out of the case of somebody who deserves everyone's support-----

I wish to make a point-----

-----for his sake and that of his family.

Hear, hear.

We are highlighting the issue because-----

Senator Bacik, without interruption.

-----the Government is failing to do anything on this case.

This is a case which should be treated with respect and people should be-----

He has been on hunger strike for 35 days.

-----mindful of the need for diplomacy and the need for an early resolution for the sake of Mr. Halawa's family.

There is a need for urgent action.