Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It was not mismanaged by neophytes, rather it was run by some of Fianna Fáil's leading lights together with former Deputy Mary Harney. Fianna Fáil has tabled this motion of no confidence in the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly having left behind a shambles after 14 years in office.

In 1997 there were 65,000 people working in the health services. When Fianna Fáil left office the number of staff in the health services was almost 120,000 when one includes agency staff. In 1997, the budget was just over €2 billion. When Fianna Fáil left office it was almost €14 billion. Despite all the extra personnel and additional budget the service was worse in 2011 than it was in 1997.

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