Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a matter that was ongoing for 18 months. It is not unusual, given the number of times I come across something I deal with 18 months or two years and no decision is taken. It is a huge problem we run up against. One talks to someone and is told that there is a waiting period for someone up the line to make a decision. I give the example of GPs who went to the HSE with a cost savings project and who after 18 months of meetings when they got nowhere threw in the towel. It was a project which involved money savings the HSE could have made in making payments in respect of patients with haemochromatosis. GPs were offering to provide the service and had six or seven meetings with senior people in the HSE.

After 18 months no decision was made and they just threw in the towel and walked away. This was a proposal whereby the HSE could have made major savings over a period.