Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Members may not realise that today is the third anniversary of the re-election of the Government. It is obvious that the Government was re-elected on the basis of clear and specific promises, some of which I will mention. Although it promised to end hospital waiting lists within two years, the most recently published figures indicate that approximately 27,000 people are on waiting lists. It promised to reduce the rate of inflation, but Ireland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe. The Government, which has belatedly realised that it has been fostering this country's rip-off culture, will make an announcement in that regard on Wednesday. It promised an improvement in facilities in accident and emergency departments, but the crisis in that regard has worsened to the extent that 368 people were on trolleys in our hospitals in a single day. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform promised 2,000 extra gardaí——

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