James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

We were always clear as regards the moratorium, in that it would remain in place, be examined more flexibly and undergo changes where a real need existed. Each time there is a crisis in our hospitals, the only suggestion the INMO makes to us is for more nurses and beds, but that sort of thinking is from yesterday and another country. Ireland is in a different place and does not have the money. We must pursue greater flexibility. Some 450,000 people are unemployed. We must seek to work in a different way to get us to where we want to be without relying on what used to be the obvious solutions when money was plentiful.

During the past decade, Ireland was awash with money, yet the health services were still a mess. It is not just a question of money or beds. It is a question of how we work and use our facilities. It is clear that the capacity of our system is not being fully utilised. We need a change in work practices. I do not expect the likes of the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, IHCA, the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, and the INMO to roll over and have their tummies tickled, but they had better look around, see the hardships people are enduring, remember that they are in the public service and that we have a duty of care to our citizens and act accordingly.

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