Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is my point. There are silos in the system when the Estimates are being prepared for each Department. Mr. Walsh has to battle his corner. He is responsible for the Traveller community's health, as well as the national drugs strategy. There are pressures across the health system, as we all know. However, findings clearly show that mortality rates among this community are far higher than the general populace, and that needs an extraordinary response. Politicians need to step up, and the Department must prioritise this. Let us hear where we should make a start. Not everything can be funded, and I do not expect that on day one, but even if there was an incremental approach, starting next year, we could increase the funding for primary care for Travellers. That alone would send the message that we are making progress. However, if we do not get additional resources, we have a long way to go. Those are some of my observations from this morning, but the committee will also be coming back to more of this with our own recommendations on possible improvements.