Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I have a problem in this regard. I listened with pleasure to all my colleagues today and each contribution was outstanding. While Senator Crown undoubtedly is a professional in this field, I include all my colleagues and went across the floor to compliment one of my Fine Gael colleagues on his contribution this morning. I also wish to note this is the third time I have been elected to this House and the reason I am here is to give my contribution, based on my life and business experience. I find this Bill to be an embarrassment. It reflects this country's failure, shows up the difference between the private and public sectors and the lack of planning and strategy in the short, medium and long term. I mean no disrespect to those departmental officials who are present as on an individual basis, outstanding people are to be found in Departments. However, were a business to operate in the same manner as the Department of Health, it would be out of business. I sat on the aforementioned Joint Committee on Health and Children and noted the size of entourages accompanying the Secretary General of the then Department of Health and Children, the former Minister for Health and Children, Ms Harney, and the former chief executive of the HSE. I do not understand how we could have afforded to have people come before the Oireachtas joint committee or the cost of preparing to so do for weeks in advance. My point is that while Senator Kelly suggested this was about money, it is about the waste of money in what has gone on.

In my role as a Government Senator during the previous Seanad, I produced a document on suicide. I referred to the lack of money that was being put into this issue and the lack of priority or resources afforded to it by the then Department of Health and Children and the HSE. There were glaring examples of waste and inefficiency and a lack of services available to look after people who are mentally ill. Moreover, the biggest crime of all concerned the lack of services for children in society, who cannot afford to pay for private consultants. Some children aged seven and ten have suicidal tendencies and I consider the incompetence of the Department of Health, the HSE and the associated political failure to be akin to savagery. I agree with Senator Crown's assertion this morning on a lack of leadership and with all due respect, Deputy Reilly, of whom I am a fan, showed a lack of leadership in not being present in the Chamber, as well as a lack of respect to those Members who are present.

Second, I hate saying this but it is my bottom line. I believe in Deputy Reilly and over my political career I have voted for people of all political parties. I vote for them if they are good. However, the tragedy is that this carry-on and this undelivered promise to Roscommon hospital brings all politicians into disrepute. I was mortified when going out the other evening to speak to the people of County Roscommon. It is the same old story in that political promises are made but not delivered on. I also believe Deputy Naughten showed courage in resigning and share the hope expressed by my colleague, Senator Leyden, that he is allowed to retain the chairmanship of the Joint Committee on Health and Children because despite the protocols and rules that automatically take effect, leadership and innovation are required within Leinster House, the Department of Health and the HSE.

I will conclude by noting the real cause of the entire problem is the failure to deal with the issue concerning the numbers of people employed in the Health Service Executive on its original establishment. No one had the guts to bite the bullet and deal with the overmanning within the health service at that time-----