David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I could not agree more with Mr. Mulvany because I said last year, in last year's budget, that the time to plan for this winter was in last year's budget as it takes time to put beds in place and to recruit staff.

That begs the following question. Why were those 51 consultant posts not funded last year to enable us to get to a point where this winter those posts would be in place? I ask because it is stated in black and white that an analysis by site was done which shows that we need 51 whole-time equivalents to deliver a safe and timely service. My point is as follows and it is one that I have made before. Each winter plan is produced as the winter begins, promises are made and big numbers are put in the plan but, in reality, they cannot be delivered and should have been done the previous year.