James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I have listened to the Minister's response and it is nothing more than what we have heard before. The reality for people comes from the effects of the cutbacks which the Minister promised on "Newstalk" would not happen. When these cutbacks were exposed, she denied they would have any effect on patient care. Both these claims have been found to be false. People in Ennis have had their facilities cancelled so that they can be referred to a centre in Galway, but because of the cutbacks cancer services there have been reduced from five to three days. The Minister cannot tell us that those people will not suffer. Hours are being reduced in Beaumont Hospital, and in St. Joseph's Hospital beds have been occupied due to the detection of Legionnaire's disease in a nursing home, the consequence being that beds for elective surgery are occupied and surgery lists are being slashed.

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