Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The rub is that if the story was not in The Irish Times, we would not be having this conversation. Health spokespersons or spokespersons for the Opposition would stand up here and ask questions, only to be told that it would happen by the end of the year or before the summer. It would be difficult for the Taoiseach to say the Government had made a hames of it, but that is what has happened. The Government has had two years to sort this out. This relates to people with cancer, asthma, obesity and other long-term illnesses. What has happened to the money? I asked the Taoiseach yesterday about the money allocated for mental health care services and he promised to send me the figures. The figure was €35 million, but I am still waiting for the figures. What happened to the money allocated for this scheme? It was envisaged that extending it to those with long-term illnesses would cost €17 million. The Taoiseach did not answer my question about the legal difficulties arising and did not spell out what would happen in the meantime. In six weeks time the House will go into recess and before we know it, the year will be over and the people in question will still be in dire straits. Why does the Taoiseach not spell out the steps he will take in the meantime?

Returning to the issue of the Minister, this is not personal. Of course, it is one of the most challenging Departments any Minister or Government could deal with. However, the Taoiseach must admit, if not here, then in his heart of hearts, that the Minister is making a complete mess of the commitments Fine Gael and the Labour Party were elected to fulfil. He should admit that he needs a new Minister and that we need a health system that works for citizens.

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