Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Time and again we have provided additional resources for more staff. I totally reject Deputy Gilmore's view that the health service in this country is inferior to what it was a decade ago because that implies the 30,000 additional staff, along with the 90,000 already there, are, in some way, not doing their job. They do their job well but I am not in this House to say every member of the HSE working in every part of the Twenty-six Counties is doing an excellent job. How could I, or any politician, do that? If I wrote a letter to any consultant and said anything which affected their medical independence, Deputy Gilmore would be the first person into the House ranting and raving that I was interfering. I am not interfering with how they do their job. I make sure they are paid adequately and, if we could finalise the negotiations, would make sure they would be given a good contract.

While I feel sorry for people and I will work might and main to try to improve the position, I reject the position whereby Deputy Gilmore can come into the House and castigate a health service which we put in place and which is a good one.

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