Ministerial attendance for health debate
Senator Ó Ríordáin backed requests for a Ministerial debate on health and criticised the absence of a Minister despite an earlier request. He cited concern about winter pressures and the direction of the health service, while the Chair sought to keep the exchange within Order of Business limits.
It is reasonable for Senators to request a debate with the Minister of the day. I was a bit taken aback that a request was made several weeks ago but it was not adhered to.
Comment on this
We do not want to be having votes on the Order of Business to facilitate a debate on an issue and no Minister turns up. Senator Rose Conway-Walsh raised the interview on "Morning Ireland" with Dr. Hickey and what he is projecting for the winter months for Sligo hospital. I found it quite frightening.
Regardless of political persuasion, and before we get into arguments about how things should be paid for and using phrases such as "leprechaun economics", we should have a reasoned debate on where the health system is going, particularly over the coming months. In my area, there is a constant strain on the facilities at Beaumont Hospital. There has been a request from the hospital's senior management for a major investment of €45 million for a better accident and emergency department. That is the suggestion from people at the coalface.
It is only reasonable that when individual Senators, in good faith, make a request for the Minister of the day, be it for mental health or the overall health system, to come to the House for a debate in a non-partisan fashion, it should be adhered to and facilitated. In fairness, the House, across the board, has worked quite well on the many issues affecting people.