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

Regarding the people who had concerns about the implementation of Sláintecare, and who subsequently resigned from the co-ordinating committee as a result of the lack of progress being made, have their fears been assuaged in the meantime? I refer to their fears having been assuaged to their satisfaction, as opposed, perhaps, to those of the Minister. Equally, do we have sufficient wherewithal to deal with the question of orthopaedics? Given what Mr. Green has said and demonstrated, is it possible to make it happen? Can we make it happen?

The eyes of the community are on the Department of Health now. The question everybody has is whether the Minister can make this transformation happen. It affects us, the Minister, the Chair and everybody here as well. My three questions are aligned with that context. To what extent have the concerns of those people who were worried about the implementation of Sláintecare, and who resigned as a result, had their fears dealt with? To what extent is the orthopaedics' capacity capable of dealing with the issues being experienced? It should be capable of dealing with these needs. Those who specialise in this area believe it is. Finally, can the Minister make Sláintecare happen?