Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy can, like de Valera, look into his heart and know the will of the Irish people. Let me be honest and clear with the Deputy. If we had followed his prescription five years ago we would have had a collapsed health service by the end of 2011. We would have bankrupted the country and there would be no pay for nurses or doctors, never mind talking about increases. Let us talk some semblance of reality. We have worked to retain key, essential personnel. Since the beginning of last year we have had 700 net, new nursing staff.

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