Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----that by mid-year nobody will have to wait more than 18 months for treatment or an outpatient appointment.

By the end of the year the target will be that nobody will have to wait more than 15 months.

I hope the plans the Minister has put in place will be implemented. There is a shortage of consultants in some hospitals across the country, but I am not saying that is the main problem. The Deputy recognised that we had a crisis in accident and emergency departments in January, which caused its own problems and had repercussions for outpatient appointments. I will bring to the attention of the Minister the concerns raised by the Deputy, and he will keep the Deputy and the House updated on how his targets are progressing. The Deputy is correct in saying it is up to Members to ensure they get a briefing and are kept up to date on the targets. I repeat that weekly meetings take place on the targets the Minister has put in place to ensure they can be achieved.

See this speech in context