Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach did not answer the questions I put to him, including the question about whether the Government has under-resourced the health service over the last number of years and particularly the area under discussion. Equally, I note the Taoiseach's use of language in stating that this is a "challenge" or a "problem." He has no sense of the crisis. It is not a challenge or a problem any more; it is a crisis. It is a crisis for patients and staff operating in emergency departments, and the Taoiseach had better begin to use that language.

The Taoiseach said the outcome of strike action was expected. Does that mean he understands that morale is so bad that 92% would vote in favour of industrial action? Does the Taoiseach think they want to go out on industrial action? They do not. Did the Taoiseach read the Sunday Independentlast weekend? The former Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, made some interesting revelations in it. He admits the health service was under-resourced and that the writing was on the wall in the 2012 budget. He said he was considering resigning there and then. We pointed out that it was a false budget and said it to the Government.

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