Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Bill and appreciate that it requires a speedy passage through the House due to the lack of junior doctors at this juncture. The Bill must be passed and enacted before doctors from overseas can register with the Medical Council and fill the vacant non-consultant hospital doctor posts with effect from 11 July.

I commence by paying tribute to all the staff and doctors in our hospitals, not only in my constituency but throughout the country, who have always had their patients' welfare to the fore. Despite whatever difficulties there may be in the delivery and administration of health service facilities, I am always glad to hear when my constituents praise the level of care and professionalism afforded to them and their families when they have had to avail of them. It is only right and proper that we should acknowledge the huge commitment that has and continues to be given by everybody in the health service in these difficult times.

I still fear there may be a number of posts left unfilled next Monday and thereafter. I initially became aware of the impending difficulties concerning the anticipated shortage of junior doctors on 25 May, following receipt of correspondence from the HSE Dublin mid-Leinster region. I was told then that relevant parties were working on contingency plans in the event of such a shortage emerging. Consultative meetings had commenced with clinicians in the midlands, including my constituency. It was further stated that the HSE was putting a number of processes in place on a short, medium and long-term basis to address issues contributing to this difficulty. The communication finally stated that a recruitment drive had commenced and I understand that it is continuing. The Minister updated us last Thursday in this regard and will do so further in the coming hours.

My caution about accepting the assurances concerning hospitals in my constituency is based on the language used in that correspondence. The documentation spoke about contingency plans and various processes being put in place, in addition to various short, medium and long-term processes. That is what gave me cause to worry. Why was there a need to speak of medium or long-term processes being put in place when there was seemingly great confidence in achieving the quotas of doctors required throughout the country?

Yesterday, we saw an example of one such long-term plan in Roscommon. That debacle may not have been diverted had promises not been given by the then Leader of the Opposition, his spokesperson on health and the Fine Gael candidates in that election, but the manner in which people felt let down and betrayed by these personnel may have been allayed.

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