Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)

I wish to share time with Deputy Finian McGrath.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to speak on this Bill. In recent years, the health system has been the subject of widespread debate. I have great sympathy for anybody who works in the health services because morale must be extremely low. We all know people who work in the health services but anybody who admits to doing so inevitably receives sympathy. Reform of the health system is the main priority for the Government and every Deputy.

It is important to highlight the hard work that is carried out by so many members of the Health Service Executive. It is easy to knock and to condemn. Everyone likes to be critical at times because it is the easy thing to do. However, being proactive, thoughtful and detailed in one's responses to problems does not appear to be as easy. Certainly, although the Opposition is very good at being negative, this does not do anything for their case or for the health system overall.

Deputies O'Sullivan and Ó Caoláin mentioned the issue of co-location because they believe it will reinforce the two-tier health system. People I meet in the street tell me they do not care if there are five tiers in the health system. They want proper care and to be able to access the services. If co-location brings this about, it should be rolled out quickly for them.

Deputy O'Sullivan also mentioned that she supports cutbacks in areas in which there is waste. The Deputy and the Opposition in general should point out where and by whom such resources in the health system are being wasted. Recently, I heard an Opposition spokesperson on a radio programme calling for firm, decisive management and for proper management of the health service. However, on the same radio programme, the same person then called for exceptions to be made in individual cases. One cannot have it both ways.

Although many good people work in the health service, they are becoming increasingly afraid to make good decisions. In a way, they are damned if they do and damned if they do not. While it may not be popular to make this point, a large number of good people work in the health system. We have good consultants, health care managers and pharmacists who need to be supported and encouraged. However, they are assaulted on a daily basis. While people always state that they are not criticising individuals within a particular section of the health service, this is not the case. Such individuals are being criticised and people's morale is being damaged. This is not because of criticism per se but inaccurate and unfair criticism affects people. The problem is that people are afraid to make decisions and this is due to the climate of discussion regarding the health service.

The HSE was founded in 2005 and is the State's biggest employer, with more than 120,000 employees. Many of them work at the coalface and treat patients on a daily basis. Amidst recent controversies, it is important not to forget the invaluable work being done by many of the HSE's staff. Its staff should become proud to state that they work in the HSE and in the health service. All families have experience of the hospital services. My personal experiences have been highly positive within both the private and public health care systems. The people who work in this sector are fantastic. In general, the consultants are excellent professionals who regularly work above and beyond the call of duty. Naturally they will argue for their own position, which is part of the process. The same is true of pharmacists, who are arguing the case in respect of the payments scheme. Although they are making arguments on this issue, pharmacists would be the first to acknowledge the existence of difficulties, which always will be present. This constitutes part of negotiating and negotiation is a good part of the process. While it sometimes can be somewhat torturous or slow, it has worked for years and continues to so do. It is important to embrace dialogue and consultation.

I read in today's edition of one of the newspapers an assertion on the part of a commentator that the health system is under-resourced. How often must Members listen to such complete nonsense? Almost everyone now accepts that the system is not under-resourced. While there are question marks over where resources are going and the manner in which they are being spent, there should not be a debate on this subject. However, one is obliged to listen to nonsense to the effect that the health system is under-resourced. Clearly, this is not the case. In the most recent budget, the Government provided almost €16.2 billion for health in 2008. This constitutes an increase of more than €1 billion on the 2006 allocation. Of this sum, more than €700 million is for the capital programme. Further budgetary provisions include increased allocations for cancer care, the elderly, people with disabilities and children, all of which are very welcome. Although it is clear there is not a problem regarding funding, commentators still trot out that old chestnut about the lack thereof.

I acknowledge there will always be problems and challenges within the system and that improvements can always be made. It is important to be cognisant of the hard work and commitment of people in the health service. I refer again to my personal experiences. All Members know people who work in the health service and know they work particularly hard. While Opposition Members like to claim there is waste, they are unwilling to point out its location in any detail. It is like listening to a pub conversation consisting entirely of broad brush stroke stuff and without any detail. The Opposition Members should come up with details on where and on what services they propose to make cutbacks.

The waiting times for accident and emergency services have been improved by 50%. Approximately 3,300 patients a day attend accident and emergency departments, of whom approximately one quarter require admission. Patients in the majority of the 32 accident and emergency departments do not wait long for admission but are admitted directly to beds. Obviously, a number of hospitals are causing some problems. That is more to do with a desire to be involved in politics instead of running the hospitals. The National Treatment Purchase Fund has been a great success. People from my constituency of Dublin South-East have availed of this scheme and have found it to be fantastic. This constitutes a success story.

In a recent survey conducted by UCD and Lansdowne Market Research, it was reported that waiting times for hospital admission now are less than three months for 91% of patients. A total of 76% of patients stated that they were admitted to hospital immediately on being informed they required admission. A further 11% were admitted within one month and a further 4% were admitted within three months.

I was particularly delighted to note the arrival in Ireland of Professor Tom Keane, who has brought great benefit to cancer services in British Columbia. He attended the meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children today and was highly positive and encouraging. He spoke of the enormous success in paediatric oncology. Clearly, the HSE, the health service and the people working within it have delivered a top-class service in paediatric oncology and should be applauded for it. This Bill is in the public interest and I will lend my support to it.

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