Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)

I support the Private Members' motion tabled by Deputy James Reilly, principally calling on the Government to "ensure that frontline health services are not reduced and that any budgetary adjustments necessary are focused on administration and bureaucracy rather than essential frontline services". The Taoiseach and the Minister for Health and Children promised in May 2007 that there would be no cutbacks or otherwise in frontline health services. How does the Minister reconcile that statement with the HSE's extension of its ban on recruitment for another month, until the end of October? The ban hurts patient care, has already led to longer waiting times and will lead to more discontent as services worsen over the winter when pressure intensifies on accident and emergency departments.

The Minister's cutbacks have had the following results — the loss of 30 nurses and four consultants from Sligo General Hospital, which will seriously affect the quality of care for patients in the west; the dismantling of key services at the mid-western regional hospital in Ennis; and the immediate closure of breast cancer services at 13 hospitals nationally, when no alternative services are available, an issue on which Fine Gael tabled a motion last week.

While Sligo General Hospital lost 30 nurses and four consultants, the HSE booked rooms in the Radisson Hotel in Sligo to interview up to 200 candidates for middle management posts. This is bizarre and the fact that the Minister allowed it to happen shows that she is out of touch with the situation in the health service. The Government should issue this health warning to the public immediately: "Whatever you do, do not get sick."

Fianna Fáil in Government is killing the health service with a lack of acute beds, frontline staff and hospital hygiene. I call on the Minister to intervene with the HSE and ensure that it lifts its ban on the recruitment and replacement of key medical staff. The embargo is a shocking decision, which is causing further hardship and inconvenience for patients. A ban which does not differentiate between a nurse or an administrative officer cannot be justified.

I thank all those who work in our health service, often under extreme pressure and difficulty for the great work they do. These cutbacks make their job worse and are badly affecting staff morale. Is it any wonder that unions such as IMPACT, the INO and SIPTU have reacted angrily to these cutbacks and are considering work stoppages and public demonstrations which may undermine social partnership? Does it make sense that staff who treat patients are being penalised for budget overruns which are nothing to do with them? Does the Minister feel that this ban on recruitment within the health service will have much impact on cost savings? I do not think it will.

The Minister's priority should be to save lives. I appeal to her to consult the HSE without fail, to deliver new staff as quickly and efficiently as possible to the frontline to deal with new patients. Political responsibility rests with the Minister and the Government and additional money should be found immediately for the sake of all essential health services and for the sake of staff and all patients.

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