David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is as a result of many problems in many areas of the hospital in Waterford with regard to orthopaedics, ophthalmology and ear nose and throat. There are real pressure points in all of these areas. All of these bottlenecks merge in the accident and emergency department and create the crisis we have. We have record numbers of people awaiting treatment and not only in Waterford. This morning, the Minister was in the Chamber when Deputy Mattie McGrath raised on Leaders' Questions the issue of what is happening in the acute hospital in Tipperary. The Minister recognised and accepted there are capacity issues. There are capacity issues in acute hospitals throughout the State. The Minister needs to get real about the extent of the crisis and deal with it.

I wish to discuss public sector pay and what might happen in respect of the public pay commission which the Government will establish. The Minister needs to prioritise post-2011 new entrants. We cannot continue with a two-tier pay structure. I believe in the principle of equal pay for equal work. If the Government agrees with this, it must deal with this as a priority in health and throughout the public service generally. I appeal to the Minister to push this as a priority for the Department when these opportunities arise.

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