Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Due to gross mismanagement on the part of the HSE and the Pontius Pilate attitude of the Minister for Health and Children, her Department and the Government, the intended opening of the new maternity hospital in Cork did not proceed as planned. What steps is the Taoiseach taking to address the very serious delay in the opening of that new facility? What has he done to advance the objective of ensuring the hospital will be fully operational as soon as possible? Will the matter be resolved this week? What is the Taoiseach's view of the statement by the Minister for Health and Children that the dispute is all about money? Does he agree with the overwhelming majority of Deputies and members of the wider public who are informed on the issue that the concerns of the midwifery and nursing staff who will be taking up positions in this new facility have always revolved around matters of safety and staffing levels? Has he noted the concerns expressed by the Irish Nurses Organisation over a period of six months in respect of the requirement to have a full complement of fully trained midwifery and nursing support staff in situ in advance of the opening of the new facility? Is he aware that it was only in the days immediately prior to the poorly planned opening of the facility on Saturday last that the HSE exposed the fact that it did not have the required number of staff in place?

This is a serious matter which is indicative of the gross neglect displayed by the Department and the failure of the HSE to fully discharge its responsibilities. The Minister for Health and Children, in her disgraceful contribution in respect of this matter, as much as accused the midwifery and nursing staff intending to take up posts in the new facility and the wider nursing community of greed. How does she balance this against the revelation in the past week that three advisers to the HSE chief executive, Brendan Drumm, received up to €1 million — including an overtime rate of €1,500 per day — in the 15 months to January this year? How can the Government have the gall to accuse nurses involved in the front-line delivery of health services of greed while trying to stand over and justify the outrageous abuse and misuse of public moneys I have outlined?

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