John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

If the Deputy really believed in equality, and in the lot of the public patient, why will she not advocate a common waiting list? Would that not make sense? Those who have money get treated first and those that do not have money are left until last. This is the reality. The Deputy's party would not introduce such a waiting list. The Deputy asked what the Green Party is about. We really believe in equality. Nobody has the guts to stand up and call for a common waiting list. This is where the real inequality lies in our system and it is totally and utterly unacceptable.

Many of our accident and emergency units are clogged up at the weekend with people who have consumed too much alcohol. Many illnesses we observe in our hospitals are related to alcohol consumption. In terms of absenteeism and anti-social behaviour, the consequences of alcohol consumption are costing us billions of euro every year. The Minister of Health and Children and the Government have not faced up to that reality.

The alcohol products Bill was promised by Deputy Martin when he was Minister for Health and Children. It was on the programme of promised legislation but was removed at the behest of the alcohol industry. That was both irresponsible and wrong. Facing up to the realities of alcohol consumption is something that most Deputies here would advocate. Warnings should be put on alcohol bottles. The revival of this Bill is something about which Deputy O'Malley should speak to her party colleague, the Minister.

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