Senator McFadden raised the issue of University Hospital Galway. That is a matter that deserves to be treated with the utmost respect and seriousness. In fairness, Senator McFadden might get a better reply through a Commencement matter. I addressed Senator Ó Ríordáin's issue.

In response to Senator McDowell, the issue of the swing is before the courts and I will not mention that.

It is the swing vote I am worried about.

The swing vote did not benefit Senator McDowell on a couple of occasions. It did on other occasions.

Roll on independence day.

Senator McDowell was out casting the swing vote lately.

It might be wise for the Leader to swing away from that issue.

Swings and roundabouts.

I hear that Senator McDowell swings either way in terms of one-----

But he is not stoned.

Not stoned.

Many hope Senator McDowell's prevarication ends soon. The Senator is swinging one way or the other, depending on who he meets. I really hope that he can.

Down with that sort of thing now.

The issue of civil liability is one that, in the wider insurance debate, needs to be addressed. We will have the Judicial Council Bill 2017 coming back before us and the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy D'Arcy, is working on reducing the cost of insurance. I note Cork City Council has set aside €20 million for insurance claims. That is a huge chunk of money out of the budget of the city council. It poses the question as to why we must have that kind of money. Let us have that debate at a future time.

Senator Craughwell raised the issue of the accident and emergency department and the distressed girl. I have made the point repeatedly that the system of access to emergency departments should be changed. We need more investment in primary care which we are providing. Senator Norris, off-camera, made reference to the issue of drunk tanks. We need a specific area of emergency departments for those with alcohol and drug issues who come into accident and emergency departments, clog them up and hold patients up. Senator Norris is correct. There are people who come into hospitals who need to be seen as outpatients but there are people who misuse the hospital system by failing to turn up, failing to notify and cancelling on a number of occasions and that adds to a backlog. I would be happy to have that debate on the health system following the local and European elections.

Senator Mullen raised the sensitive and tragic issue in the National Maternity Hospital. The best contribution I can make is that we do not know all the facts. There is a review under way in the hospital. Let us await that conclusive report and then have a debate. Let us treat the matter with sensitivity and not use anybody, anything or any place as a political football. We all have concerns. We all have issues. Let us wait until we get the full facts when we can have the debate on the matter.

Senators Marie-Louise O'Donnell and Norris commended those involved in the healthcare system, particularly in St. Vincent's. The Senators are correct. There is a significant amount of work being done. We can have a real debate on the positivity around the healthcare system and about the need to keep the patient at the heart and centre of it. The remarks of both Senators are ones that should be promulgated.

Finally, Senator Devine-----

On a point of order, I went on to talk about the healthcare assistants at a very real political level.

I said that would form part of our debate.

It is not about positivity. That is actually determined negativity regarding their work.

I said we should have a debate on the healthcare system to address the matters raised by the Senator. I used the word "promulgated", which means to articulate.

I understand the English language. I am just wondering what is the Leader's opinion on healthcare assistants.

I cannot allow interventions. Perhaps the Senator might speak privately to the Leader about the matter.

I will be happy to have a debate on the healthcare system. If there are issues that need to be addressed, let us promulgate them.

Healthcare assistants.

I understand what Senator O'Donnell said. I can hear.

Really. Very good.

If there are concerns, let us have that debate. I have to be honest. There is much positivity in the healthcare system too. We sometimes hear a lot of negativity in this House, but there is a lot of positivity too. I am not saying the Senator is saying negative things but making the point as part of the debate.

The Leader is putting me in that context after I made a speech about how marvellous the healthcare system was.

I understand that.

I do not have an answer for Senator Devine to her question about CHO 9, nor do I have a further update. She is unhappy with the Minister of State, Deputy McGrath's response last week. The Government is committed to working on the issue of mental health. On child and adolescent mental health services, I suggest, with respect, that the Senator resubmit her Commencement matter for further consideration. We will have a debate on health issues again after the local elections. The HSE's service plan is not debated in the Houses of the Oireachtas per se but at the Joint Committee on Health. As a Member of the Oireachtas, the Senator should have the opportunity to meet representatives of the HSE in her area to speak about issues related to the service plan. She should consider resubmitting her Commencement matter because I accept that it is an important issue.

I regret that I cannot accept Senator Humphreys' proposed amendment to the Order of Business.