Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have an issue with waiting lists. Everything becomes a waiting list in this country and everywhere else as far as I can see. The point about waiting lists is that if it is possible to deal with an issue on the first, second or even the 20th day, it avoids a waiting list building up, be it for housing, health services or something else. There is a already a long waiting list for services and we have to deal with that somehow. If we are waiting to deal with an existing long waiting list and, at the same time, trying to put in place the structures we all recognise are envisaged, how will that work out? Have we paid sufficient attention to those long waiting lists? I am aware the National Treatment Purchase Fund has dealt with some of the cases. When will we get to a stage where the waiting lists are manageable, that is, where people wait for perhaps two months? Will it take four, ten, 12 or 20 years? We need to deal with the amorphous mass and the disappointment and severe pain experienced by patients. I have tabled Dáil questions over the years seeking information on behalf of constituents, for example, elderly people who are waiting in severe pain for a hip replacement or other procedure. The replies state it will take X number of years for the person to be seen. Members often get such replies when trying to deal with the provision of vital services. This seems to affect this country more than any other. We must start somewhere by intervening and saying this will be the position from now on and we will hold the line, while at the same time dealing with the long queue at the other side of that line and ensuring it does not build up again.