Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I never said that. Neither do I want the impression to go out that there has been no increase in services at all in health this year. The opposite is the case. There has been an unprecedented increase in health service budgets this year across the board, in terms of acute services, home care packages, diagnostics and primary care. The key now is to embed that into the future of our health service so that we use the lessons of the pandemic to have a stronger health service into the future. That will require leadership at all levels.

In terms of cost, there is no question that in Ireland the original idea of setting up commissions of investigation was that they would reduce costs compared to the tribunal of inquiry model which had proved to be very expensive. Commissions of investigation are proving to be lengthy and expensive as well. People have legal representation, are entitled to protect their good names and so forth. Hence, some investigations can take far too long. I do not disagree with that. We will review the situation, but the Oireachtas needs to review it as well.

As an Oireachtas, we decide whether these investigations are necessary. We have had some investigations that have been completed quickly, but that has not always been the case. This area needs review and we will do that. I have no doubt the Oireachtas will deal with this through the various committees or at party level. All of us should reflect on the facts the Chair outlined, a view with which I do not necessarily disagree.