Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Tánaiste has not dealt through his camera with the person from Wexford who was to be given an appointment within three weeks but was not given it within three years. The Tánaiste has not referred to the five HSE reports which speak of severe deficiencies in the equipment to deal with neurosurgical treatments. He bluffed about HSE numbers and the numbers in the health system. Two years ago Professor Drumm told my parliamentary party that of the 125,000 health service employees, 3,500 did not know what their jobs or functions were yet they were to be paid for life. Yet through the camera the Tánaiste has told me that 425 people must listen to that rubbish he gave out. The HSE is bulging with well-intentioned career people who are staggering through the halls of inefficiency, bureaucracy and red tape.

The Tánaiste was so clear in his response when he took a page from a departmental file about the dismissal of Mr. Frank Connolly. He said he needed to speak to the public about an issue of public importance.

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