John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

When the Minister was in opposition, he outlined a detailed plan to reform every aspect of the health system and how it delivered care to patients. Moreover, he decried previous health policies for what he called their slash and burn techniques and, in his own words, promised "the money would follow the patient". I accept the Minister's challenge was formidable. However, I have challenged him previously and do so again to visit my constituency of Waterford to ask the patients in Waterford Regional Hospital how long they have been waiting on trolleys. He should ask them how long they have been waiting to see a specialist or how many times they have had procedures cancelled. He should speak to the surgeons who cannot treat their patients because of the lack of availability of a bed, an anaesthetist or an intensive care unit nurse. I have spoken to all these people.

I am uncomfortable with Fianna Fáil calling for a vote of no confidence in the Minister, given that party supported a person who in my estimation was one of the worst Ministers for Health we are likely ever to see in the history of the State. The vote of no confidence in the Minister in essence is coming from my constituents and not so much from me. It is because of the 18,925 people who are on outpatient waiting lists, the 5,847 people who have been waiting for more than a year and for orthopaedic outpatients, some of whom have been waiting for four years.

Finally, I refer to a case with which I am dealing involving a man who worked in the health service for 20 years and who incurred a severe back injury. He has a medical card and seeks the insertion of a device known as a Wallis spacer. The Minister is well aware of this and I sent a letter to him in this regard. This person was told that even though he is entitled to the device and has a medical card, the hospital does not have €3,900 to pay for the aforementioned procedure and consequently, he is walking around half-crippled. The Minister should read the letter I sent to his Department. Consequently, I do not speak primarily for myself but for the many constituents who visit my offices throughout the constituency and who themselves state they have no confidence in the Minister. I like the Minister as a person and have spoken to him a number of times. There is nothing personal in this and I acknowledge the Minister has dealt with me quite competently. I regret being obliged to support this motion and am uncomfortable in so doing because Fianna Fáil has tabled at but I must stand by what my constituents tell me to do.

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