Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

"Sorry" does not work any more in this country. People are fed up of waiting. Since 2012, 33% more administrative staff have been brought into the health service. I know from talking to people that when there was a problem in a place in Mayo, the Taoiseach's county, another layer of staff was put in to ensure management was always kept away from the hits of the media or whatever. This cannot continue. We need front-line staff. The one thing we need is someone who can organise the set-up. It is like any business in that one has to ensure one can organise people. Currently, it seems as though nobody is organising as captain of the ship. How long will the Taoiseach wait? It is not getting better. Will the Taoiseach contend with the same Minister if the service is not getting better? For one reason or another, one Minister moved away from the health portfolio. Everyone deserves a chance, and I am not saying they do not, but ultimately, there are patients, including children and the elderly, who deserve to be looked after. The problem has not been sorted. Will the Taoiseach commit to getting involved? Task forces are lovely, and it is lovely to be saying we will set them up, but actions speak louder than words. Simple stuff, rather than complicated, highfalutin stuff, will make a difference.

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