I wish to raise a matter in respect of Limerick. St. John's Hospital announced yesterday that it is closing 20 beds permanently on the ground floor. My understanding is that discussions were ongoing between the hospital and the university hospitals group. There appears to be a difference in the information being given by both sides. I urge that both sides would re-engage in talks and that a mechanism would be found to ensure the 20 beds are opened. If the closures are due to funding we must examine the matter. People in Limerick and the mid-west know that one of our key problems in health care is the lack of bed capacity and it is not acceptable that 20 beds on the ground floor in St. John's Hospital are being closed.

I already spoke to the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, who is inquiring into the matter. We need people to talk to each other. We must find out the precise circumstances. We have been informed that 15 of the 20 beds are being closed because the hospital was unable to recruit nursing staff and now 20 beds are being closed permanently. That is not acceptable. I want the St. John's Hospital management and the HSE's university hospitals group to resume talks to find a solution which we can all work towards to ensure the 20 beds can be opened as quickly as possible. The Minister, Deputy Harris, is involved. The people of Limerick deserve no less.

I still think it was an interesting point of order and I would still like to see a female Cathaoirleach and Leader in the House today. That is up to both of the individuals concerned but it would be a good thing to do. I offer my condolences to those affected by the tragedy in Clondalkin. Senator Humphreys mentioned that members of Dublin Fire Brigade were in Leinster House yesterday when I raised the break-up of the ambulance and emergency services. I hope good news will emerge later today on the back of the intervention yesterday.

I wish to raise the Donnybrook Magdalen laundry, given that it is International Women's Day. The laundry, which is located in Dublin 4 in the capital city, is for sale for approximately €3 million. It would be a disgraceful shame were the sale to go ahead. The State must intervene and buy the building, along with a donation from the Bon Secours order, which posted profits yesterday for last year of almost €3 million and has accumulated profits over the last decade of just under €100 million. The Government must purchase the home in reparation. On this day, let us dedicate that home to mná na hÉireann, show our history, how great we are and also the tragedies we have overcome, and the strength that is in mná na hÉireann, 51% of the population. That project must be progressed.

I ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Heather Humphreys, to intervene and buy the property. If we allow the development of apartments, homes and playgrounds on the site we will forget, and we cannot do that. It would be like buying a slice of a concentration camp and allowing a development for happy families. The families in the housing estate in Tuam are extremely uncomfortable with what is going on there and what they are living beside. I press the Leader to ensure that women in this country are recognised. We need a museum that tells our history. We silently fought for our history and we made history in this country. We must speak for those who still have no voice in this country. I urge the Leader to bring my request to fruition. We can never forget but we can learn.