Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the motion. When the country is facing one of the toughest budgets we have ever had to face, I am disappointed Fianna Fáil has tabled a politically opportunistic motion.

I wonder what has happened to their leader's call for a constructive Opposition that would not look for political gain from tough Government decisions. He seems to have forgotten about that in the same way, perhaps, as he has forgotten about his tenure at the Department. Let us consider the facts about his time in the Department. While Deputy Martin was Minister, there was a €600 million overspend and it had to be made up by additional budgets signed off by the Cabinet. That is not a luxury we have anymore. He spent €14 million on 50 consultant reports. We all know what happened and how many of the recommendations were implemented.

Under the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, we have seen a 20% cut in the number of people waiting on trolleys. There has also been a reduction of 85% of those waiting 12 months or more for surgery. Also, local improvements have been made, including a new primary care centre opening in Ashbourne, County Meath, and we believe there is one on the way for Kells. Some things are improving, although not as fast as we would like. It will take time to fix the mess left over from Fianna Fáil but we are the people to fix the mess.

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