Dáil debates

Tuesday, 26 June 2007

 

Co-location of Hospitals: Motion.

8:00 pm

Photo of Lucinda CreightonLucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

It is my pleasure to support the motion. As Deputy Brian Hayes outlined, there is a series of problems and failings in the Government's proposals regarding the process of co-location. The decision to proceed with co-location amounts to little more than acceptance of the failure of Government policy in respect of the health service during the past ten years. The Taoiseach and the Minister for Health and Children stated on previous occasions — they repeatedly did so prior to the general election — that co-location is the cheapest and fastest way to bring about the provision of the badly needed hospital beds they promised in two programmes for Government. However, they have not acknowledged that co-location amounts to a failure on behalf of the State to provide, as ought to be the case, hospital beds through the public system.

It is disappointing the Progressive Democrats is giving up, as is clearly the case, on the prospect of achieving a competitive environment in the public sector and in the delivery of public health care. As Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney is, in effect, CEO of the health service and, as such, is culpable and responsible for this grave failure in the delivery of public hospital beds and of an effective and efficient health service.

In the aftermath of the general election, it is clear that there is no mandate in respect of the proposals relating to co-location. The Green Party — none of its members is present in the Chamber, which is extremely disappointing — campaigned against co-location, as did the Independents who are propping up this Administration. In my constituency and in many others across the country, Fianna Fáil backbenchers campaigned against co-location——

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