Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the changes the Minister has made. I welcome the proposals on scoliosis. I wait to hear his proposals on the waiting list at Cork University Hospital. I wait to hear his proposals on eye operations, such as for cataracts. I know of a lady aged 90 who is being told she must wait two years before she will get her operation. That is unforgivable and is not acceptable. I accept the Minister's commitment.

While time is short, I note that notwithstanding everything else, Ireland was among the 35 countries that were assessed by the Health Consumer Powerhouse index survey of EU health and was placed 21 out of 35. It has the longest waiting lists in Europe. That is why I say this is a decisive moment. I welcome the Minister's decisive action but he needs to ensure the HSE is accountable and it is not. The HSE is not doing its job. It is getting away with this triple list, which does not make sense. We seek a single list including every patient.

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