Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

People also need to be realistic. We are just emerging from a major medical emergency in the pandemic. That was always going to interfere with change and progress. If it did not, there would be something wrong. We would have the greatest health system in the world if it did not.

In terms of universal healthcare, the term "universal" worries me. I want universal healthcare for those on low and middle incomes, not necessarily for people who can afford it. I certainly do not share the view on that concept and understanding of universal healthcare. The wealthy in society should continue to pay for medical treatment.

I would like to raise an issue local to the mid-west, of which I am sure the Minister will be aware. A 60-bed modular unit opened in the past few years to deal with the emergency department issue in the University Hospital Limerick, UHL, yet, in the past couple of days, there were reports of 82 patients waiting on trolleys. Can he understand the bemusement and the lack of understanding of the people of the mid-west at the situation wherein a 60-bed modular unit has been provided, yet 82 people have been waiting on trolleys? Can he provide some kind of explanation and understanding to the people of the mid-west as to why that is happening and when it will be resolved? When will we be in a situation where we will not see those type of numbers on trolleys in Limerick?