I pay tribute to the determination and dignity of the nurses. Union members are yet to be balloted and will reach their own decisions around what is on the table for them, but regardless of the outcome, they have done a great public service by highlighting a problem that would only have worsened with time. The reasons for the dispute need to be addressed. I thank those who, despite having their appointments postponed and their personal needs unmet, stood steadfast behind the strike. They know how necessary it is for those working in the system to shout "Stop". I also thank the care staff and others within the health system, not only for the vital work they do, but for recognising that all workers have the right to work within a safer system.

Regarding the €450 million overspend at the national children's hospital, Senator Craughwell wondered what the point would be of asking for someone to be accountable or for someone's head on a plate.

I ask the Senator and others to explain what we mean by accountable. Do we mean there should be a number of apologies?

There should be an explanation.

There are some things that cannot just be explained away.

They have, which is the point.

We have been doing this for years. It is interesting to look back to 2008 and 2009, when Fine Gael vigorously criticised Fianna Fáil for wasting money, describing the Health Service Executive as a bureaucratic monster that eats money. It rightly accused Fianna Fáil of cancelling services rather than cutting waste. Fine Gael was going to do things differently.

Just like the Senator's party.

Have a bit of manners, Senator. I am speaking.

Is that directed to me?

Yes.

All right. Very good. The Senator was not looking at me.

Ciúnas, le bhúr dtoil. Senator Norris, sometimes your interjections are unhelpful.

I appreciate that.

They are what?

They are unhelpful.

Sometimes they are unwelcome.

They are intended to be.

Only sometimes.

Senator Conway-Walsh has the floor and should be allowed to continue.

I hope I will be allowed another minute for that. It is about where accountability stops and how many times somebody must be made accountable. The Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, has apologised for not giving a fuller account in a parliamentary reply but this is not the first time he has had to apologise. He is a serial apologiser. We have had the CervicalCheck scandal, the treatment waiting lists, the trolley crisis, problems for scoliosis patients and many other failings. The public are wondering at which point we say the buck must stop somewhere. The question is how many apologies make up accountability.

There is now a €450 million overspend on just one project. There may be people in the Chamber who think that is okay and one can just apologise for that. It does not matter what pot this comes from, as it all comes from the same pockets. These are the same pockets that have absolutely nothing left to give. They are the same pockets that get fleeced for everything despite us going to them time and again to pay for things. Somebody must pay for this and it is the Irish citizens and taxpayers who do so. It is decision time for each and every Fianna Fáil Member in these Houses. Do they still have confidence in a Minister who conceals vital information while pretending to negotiate a budget?

Sinn Féin has no Ministers in the North.

They were negotiating a budget.

It is allowing civil servants to run it. It may as well do what it is doing in the North.

This could not be made up. Do the Senators not feel they are being taken for fools?

It is peak Mary Lou.

Senator Norris should not join those benches as well. Is he joining the unaccountable-----

Who is this woman?

Senator Norris should take a seat. I ask Senator Conway-Walsh to conclude as I have been very fair.

Do the Senators not know they are being taken as fools by the people to my right?

They are.