Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

It was believed a unified system was the right way to proceed. Incidentally, several other countries in Europe are introducing unified systems of health care.

Deputy Kenny asked if there are difficulties with modernising, integrating and introducing standard practices to an old system that has been there in one form or another since the foundation of the State. It is a mammoth task. Deputy Kenny and all Members must acknowledge the hospital throughput, the capital programme for hospitals and the integration of hospital services.

When I started as Taoiseach, the big issue on Question Time was cardiovascular services with large waiting lists for treatment of up to four years.

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