Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the latter point, 700 nurses were recruited and employed last year. Of course, there will be an opportunity to discuss all these matters in terms of the publication of the universal health insurance paper, which will deal with a range of issues that arise as one changes from a two-tier to a one-tier system. I must admit that the report referred to by Deputy Adams should have been dealt with in four months.

It was due in, I think, by December. That deadline was not met; I admit that. It was probably due to the rush of legislation, the exit from the bailout, the budget and all of the rest of it. The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government is considering its views on it. I will give Deputy Adams an up-to-date report as to when we can expect it to come to Government, make our views known and debate that report of the convention here also. My apologies for not meeting the timeline. There were reasons for it.

See this speech in context