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

Through the chair, I am just making the point about using language. The Senator used a phrase like "the Army is falling apart". It is not falling apart. We have severe issues with recruitment and retention, but it is not falling apart. What I am trying to say is that there are two ways of looking at this situation. By the way, I have seen this occur in the health services for 20 years. For 25 years in that context, accident and emergency departments have been an issue. Nothing else gets discussed about outcomes and the fact that we have dramatically improved our lifespan and that cardiovascular health is light years away from where it was. The point is that we need some sense of perspective to give people a sense of hope being on the horizon as well and that there is movement, progress and things happening.