Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

To quadruple or increase by 400% the health bill is nothing short of shameful. Deputy Kelleher can protests all he likes and sometimes he doth protest too much but it is not about how much we spend. That is not how we are going to be judged and that is not the solution. It is about how we do what we do and about getting value for money because ultimately, we are answerable to the taxpayers. This is not the Government's money nor is it the money of the Department of Health or the Minister. This is the taxpayers' money. We must ensure that reform is what we are all about.

I acknowledge the introduction of intermediate vehicles which serve a very good purpose in transporting patients who are not critically ill. Deputies will have seen them on the road and they are an extremely welcome development. I commend the Minister on the reforms introduced to date and also the paramedics on the wonderful work they do every day. To call the system dysfunctional is disgraceful.

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