Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

It is wide of the mark but it appeals to the headline writers and the local media. It appeals to whatever angle one wants to use in order to protect the status quo. The Opposition argument is such that they are not looking for the status quo, they want to change it. They are talking about a serious policy, which is a good one, but costly. In addition, it will take a lot of time to implement. The current system certainly does not have all the answers. There are many problems, but when one is dealing with 110,000 individuals one needs a hell of a structure and a reporting system. One also needs the co-operation of everyone all the time to avoid mistakes and delays, as well as ensuring that accident and emergency units operate to the highest possible efficiency. All it takes is a small group of people for things to go wrong.

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