Mr. Tony O'Brien:

It would. If we were to add the totality of need and supply nationally, talking about the match between needs and supply, we would note that they would not match. In addition, there would be variable disparities in terms of how big the mismatch would be in different parts of the country, but I do not believe it is the case that there is anywhere which is over-resourced and other places which are under-resourced. Universally, it is a story of under-provision. I do not think we find ourselves on any point with a different analysis in that respect.

As in the case of the national cancer strategy and A Vision for Change, one needs an operational approach and a public policy position agreed to by the Government, the Oireachtas and so on that is evidence based, leads to a clear policy, matched either by reprioritised funding or new funding and which can then be operationalised over a given period in the health service. Where we have done this, we have seen significant improvements.

The Deputy mentioned an 18-month wait. In order that we are clear that we are on the same page, let me state that when I became director general, we were measuring them out to four years. I am very keenly aware of the importance of improving the way the health service performs. That is the reason I am doing the job. I do not have a problem with robust questions. My issue was being asked about things so specific that I could not possibly answer, which the Deputy has not done.