Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I move:

That Dáil Éireann:

—notes that this week marks the deadline for the ending of hospital waiting lists following the commitment given by the Taoiseach, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Health and Children on 6 May 2002 that, if returned to office, they would "permanently end waiting lists in our hospitals within two years through a combination of bed capacity, primary care, secondary care and targeted reform initiatives";

—deplores the failure of the Government to honour the commitment made and the cynicism displayed in making a promise that they clearly had no intention of honouring;

—condemns the continuing unacceptable waiting lists which at September 2003, the latest date for which figures are available, showed more than 27,000 people waiting for treatment, with more than 9,000 waiting for more than a year;

—calls for the immediate introduction of targeted initiatives to ensure a prompt reduction in the numbers and end the suffering and distress of so many people awaiting treatment, including:

—opening all hospital beds currently closed or under threat of closure;

—ensuring a full nursing complement in acute hospitals with waiting lists;

—tackling the crisis in accident and emergency departments;

—taking measures to relieve "bed blocking";

—providing additional new hospital beds and commissioning new units awaiting opening; and

—enhancing community care.

I would like to share my time with Deputy Sherlock.

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