Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

All of us here tonight, including those on the other side of the House, know that if this plan is to be implemented in full, there will be further cutbacks in services; it is written into it. This will include cutbacks in the area of the fair deal scheme, funding for the elderly, provision of long-term and respite care, and provision of home helps and home-care packages. All these are being squeezed to the point where the acute hospital system is under pressure, as is evidenced by what we see in emergency departments throughout the country. The circle is narrowing the whole time. The Ministers present, as Labour Party Ministers, should accept that it is not possible to continually cut without something giving. In this context patient safety is under pressure, as stated by many front-line people. That is why we tabled this motion.

While I could go on, I urge the Ministers present along with the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, to look at the matter quickly in the context of the escalating costs of private health insurance to families. There are many other areas to be looked at. I commend the motion, which was not tabled to frighten people throughout the country. It was tabled so that we could have a constructive debate in this Chamber. We should also have had a further six hours to have a constructive debate to give every Deputy a chance to congratulate and condemn the Government in equal measure.

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