Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)

Furthermore, under the new targets, 95% of people should not wait for more than six hours for an emergency bed. While the Government agrees that no one should be on a trolley, if anyone believes the disastrous position that pertained in the health system over the past 14 years can be cleaned up and changed in one month, one year or even two years, he or she is seriously delusional. Steady and large reductions in waiting times are being achieved. The special delivery unit will also set and implement targets for improved access to outpatient and diagnostic services in the first quarter of 2012.

I wish the Minister and his staff well. For the first time in years, it must be acknowledged that some key areas of the health service are improving, even if not all battles or wars have been won. While there is still scope to target other areas, there is light at the end of the tunnel and evidence to show that the targeting, monitoring and direct control of the HSE by a competent and experienced Minister who understands his portfolio is delivering benefits.

I emphasise that the facts and figures I have cited on waiting lists and the people on trolleys were compiled not by officials in the Department or Health Service Executive but the nursing unions. They alone are tabulating and delivering the figures for everyone to see.

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