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

I thank Mr. Reid. I know these intentions are genuine and I agree this is the right way to go about it, but we in the midst of a waiting list crisis. These date back several years. It is has been indicated to me that children or adults with special needs are being told they are on a five-year waiting list. I cannot understand how that could have happened. I speak as a former member of the old Eastern Health Board. If this had occurred in that era, there would have been an instant reaction. There could not have been a situation whereby the parents of a patient might be told their child was on a long-term waiting list. Something would have been done about it. I need to know now what is being done to address these issues. I refer to those issues that are current and to previous ones as well. To eliminate a waiting list or a queue, it is necessary to start at both ends at the same time.