James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for this debate. As she points out, although I welcome the opportunity to discuss the health service, it is premature in view of the upcoming budget. It is important that we have a follow-up debate after the Minister has deliberated and made her determinations on what is and is not to be cut. I will set out the areas in which cuts should not be made, in which they have been already made, and in which they could be made. Cuts of themselves do very little; we need real reform. The Minister mentioned a total of €1 billion in overtime in a year, which is an extraordinary sum and a poor reflection on the management of the health service and the Minister's supervision of it. That we are spending so much money on health, as the Minister has mentioned, is worthy of query. We know that €1.5 billion or so is spent by the VHI; from where does the rest of the €4 billion not associated with the HSE and the Department come?

See this speech in context