Tom Barry (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to address the House on this motion.

We all want delivery of an excellent health care system. The national figures are improving. This should not be taken for granted because they are improving at a time when there are huge constraints on our finances, our population is increasing and there is an embargo on recruitment. We are trying to do the impossible and it is being done. It is a brave person that would take on the health portfolio at this time. At the time the Minister took up office up to 5,000 people a day were ill, which meant addressing the health service was a huge task. The health service is being addressed by a number of Ministers.

It is important to set out the facts. For decades and under many Administrations, it was feared that Mallow General Hospital would close. Many Members of the House will recall the huge task it was to ensure it remained open. It is now regarded as part of Cork University Hospital. I do not think people realise the huge amount of work being done at Mallow General Hospital. Approximately 40-day care surgeries are carried out at the hospital. While all surgery requiring specialist surgeons is undertaken in Cork University Hospital, other less serious surgery, which can be carried out on a day-care basis, is being undertaken at Mallow hospital. The hospital has a future, which is great news for all those who rely on its services. This did not happen by accident. Many sacrifices had to be made, including the replacement of the accident and emergency department with a minor injuries unit, which is working very well. I recently attended the unit with my son. The treatment received was outstanding.

The Minister is to be complimented on what has been achieved at Mallow General Hospital. When we met with the consultants at the hospital their enthusiasm was almost infectious. They wanted to make this work. The hospital is a template for the future role and functions of small hospitals. There is also a new endoscopy unit at the hospital, which is the first new additional building there during my lifetime. These are huge changes. I invite the authors of the motion to travel around the country and see the fine work that is being done rather than engage in criticism of what is or is not being done. Fine work is being done.

There is nothing more devious and upsetting than negative commentary around people's health. I agree with the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, that this negative commentary must stop. If members opposite take nothing more from this debate than that point I will be happy. While some people have serious mental illness others are suffering from depression. All of us meet people in our clinics on a weekly basis who have genuine concerns. Negative commentary about our health system is shocking. Fianna Fáil should be ashamed of itself for instilling fear in people. That is what they are doing.

We are all aware of the challenge that is the health service. However, the model is working. I take this opportunity to acknowledge the challenging work being done by staff in the HSE. While the HSE is often fairly criticised this does not mean that everybody in the HSE deserves criticism. There are some very good people in the HSE and this must be recognised. What we are doing is delivering better services to patients with fewer resources. We are moving in the right direction. Money does not always solve the problem. Often what is required is organisation, for which no one will be thanked. However, this should be recognised.

See this speech in context