Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I welcome the Minister and the witnesses from the HSE to the meeting.

Like Deputy Kelleher, from time to time I am askance as to how we cannot precisely identify the amount of money required to run the health service in any given year. This is especially relevant this year because the ink was not dry on the budget until somebody squeaked from the corner that there were insufficient resources to run the services. I cannot understand how that happens. It is particularly concerning recently because I have discovered that Ireland is among the highest spenders in the OECD in health services. There is some reason that I do not know and I cannot figure out what it is. I am sure the Vice Chairman would like to know what it is also.