Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

There is a world of difference between the parties. The first difference is that we have a Minister for Health who will change the system to one which will deliver adequate standards of proper health care for all patients. That cannot and will not happen overnight. I respect the work medical professionals do. I respect the pressure they are under, but the system that has been allowed to evolve over so many years has been wasteful and has not been up to the standard required in so many areas, as the evidence has shown over the years. That is the first difference between the parties.

The Government has set out a plan and programme to change the structure of the delivery of health services where patient care is central and paramount. That will apply right across the country. Transport will continue to be provided for those who need it, be it for cancer treatment, dialysis or other need.

On the question of naming hospitals in which the number of non-consultant hospital doctors is not up to standard or where there is no supervision for non-consultant hospital doctors, I cannot give that information today because the responses are not back from those who might take up positions as junior doctors. The Minister will report on that to the House tomorrow.

I regret this is something that has happened for so many years without being attended to. It will be attended to now. It would be far easier for me to stand up here and say everything is hunky-dory in every hospital in the country. It is not. Because of the situation in which we now find ourselves, changes must take place, and those changes must be carried out with a focus on patient care and the delivery of the highest standard of care by professionals with supervision and adequate accountability to this House. This Minister for Health will ensure this happens.

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