Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

People can come in here and continue to argue for the status quo. However, the status quo will not solve the problem. If the suggestion from Deputy Gilmore is that nobody wants to hear about the budgetary situation, then I am sure that is true. However, if one is in the job, then one must work within those budgets. If the Deputy was in my position, he would have to do the same. The only way we can solve that problem is by working with those who are trying to implement the reforms on the basis of increased allocations.

Resources are being increased significantly. An extra €5 billion has gone into the health service in the past four years, yet perennial problems arise and we are trying to deal with them. The only way we can do that is for everybody to change the structures by which the system is being delivered. That is the truth of it. The Health Service Executive is involved in making those changes.

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