Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I am somewhat uneasy about some of that. Of course, the most urgent cases should receive the most urgent attention, but the less urgent cases ultimately could become very urgent cases because of deferral. I wonder if any system is in place to catch those cases and ensure they are not pushed aside to become part of a waiting list. The waiting lists have become endemic; in almost everything we do there is a waiting list for it. A waiting list costs more in administration etc. There are greater risks involved with it. I am not referring entirely to the health system. The waiting lists are everywhere and are costly.

If someone goes into the office in the morning and leaves part of the day's work behind for the next morning, that becomes part of a waiting list which becomes unmanageable and cannot be done. As the Chairman knows, in our own business it cannot be done. I would be concerned that it could lead to difficulties at a later stage. I ask for something to be done to ensure that those less urgent cases that are not a question of life or death today should not be left to wait for six months to have their returns.