James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

Five years later, there is no real prospect of that happening. I disagree fundamentally with the Minister's point that no other funding is available. There is gross wastage within the Health Service Executive and the health budget. If the funding was directed appropriately and managed properly the funding would be available. I remind the Minister that she promised the House previously that she would add beds to the system, instead of which we have lost beds.

The Minister referred to 33,000 fewer emergency admissions. Can she explain to the House how in the name of God she is going to reduce 33,000 emergency admissions in the health service this year? Is the Minister saying consultants in emergency medicine are admitting people needlessly? I do not think they nor any other doctor in the country would accept that.

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