John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In response to that and to clarify the record, I did not ask you anything about policy. I asked you what figure you had asked for in the context of the negotiations. Mr. O'Brien willingly gave that figure. I understand all of the other things. I do not need a lecture on where we are economically. We have all felt the pinch in relation to where we are. I am just asking for the information so that we can understand it. If Mr. O'Brien cannot run his show on what he is getting, perhaps there is a need for everyone to understand that he needs to get more.

There have been some changes in relation to the HSE and its management, but I cannot ignore all of what is here and all of what has been reported by the Comptroller and Auditor General year in and year out. These are the facts. This is what is happening. The HSE is engaging with medical card holders and treating them as it is while at the same time significant money is not being pursued with the same vigour elsewhere. There is a balance to be struck. I am not asking Dr. McLoughlin about policy. I am just anxious to get at the facts. That is what I want to get at. Mr. O'Brien has been helpful in giving those facts.