Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)

When the Minister of State, Deputy Fleming, used the words "this Government" and "prudent" when it comes to money management, I have to think, out the road here, of the children's hospital. Nobody could use the phrases "financial prudence" and "this Government" in the same breath. When we hear of bicycle sheds and security huts costing €1.25 million and when we think that our highly esteemed and respectable Ceann Comhairle had to start off the first meeting of this Dáil term by explaining about a bike shed and how he was outraged, the word "prudence" and this Government do not match. I nearly choked when I heard the Minister of State say that.

The haulage sector in County Kerry, taxi men in Killarney town and throughout the county and many others have been contacting me throughout the day asking what did the Government have against them.

With regard to hospital beds, I am anxious to keep all our beds in Kenmare, Dingle, Cahersiveen, Killarney town and other places open. On Aperee nursing home, I am very disappointed with the move by the HSE, contacting family directly and saying this home will not stay open and they should take their people out. The line Minister directly responsible, Deputy Butler, is very concerned in her efforts at trying to keep that home open and I thank her for that. I would ask the HSE to lighten off a small bit, give us a chance and give another operator a chance to take over.

With regard to the other issues, such as the roads, the Government has been anti-roads in County Kerry. It did a massive U-turn last week, which I raised here in the Dáil. When I stood up and spoke up for the people in Bunane, I am still fighting for the people in Tahilla and all those roads around the rest of the Ring of Kerry where the road is crumbling and the infrastructure is crumbling. I ask that the Government not forget about the roads in Kerry.

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