Mattie McGrath (Tipperary South, Independent)

I do not need a lecture from Deputy Hannigan or anyone else across the floor. If they want to get into the issue of terminology, we can do so. I am trying to speak to the motion. I admitted I do not have anything like the experience of one of Deputy Hannigan's colleagues who has suffered a stroke and spoke eloquently in the debate. I offered three minutes of my time, as the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will confirm, to allow her to continue her contribution because she knows much more about the issue than I do. I am not being high and mighty; I can make mistakes as well as anyone.

Money is not being invested where it should be invested. Every day, I encounter families who cannot get access to speech therapists and people who turn up for an appointment to find it has been cancelled without warning. This problem with the administration of the system causes serious frustration.

To return to ambulance services and the importance of the golden hour, this issue is relevant in the case of my local hospital. The Minister brought a group of us to see services at Wexford General Hospital. I am informed that ambulances at the hospital are so busy transferring psychotic patients to Waterford Regional Hospital that they are not always available to ferry to hospital people who have had a stroke or have been involved in road traffic accidents and so forth. We cannot put the cart before the horse. While we need careful scrutiny and a shift of emphasis, an appropriate level of services must first be in place.

I commend the Irish Heart Foundation and similar organisations working in the health service from the bottom of my heart. As other speakers noted, it is a disgrace - this applies also to previous Governments - that VAT is charged on vital, life-saving equipment for which many organisations raise funds while working for the good of the community. Imposing VAT on such aids and appliances is anathema and an insult to volunteers.

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