Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We propose that €400 million extra be spent above requirements for demographic issues, pay issues and so on. Results count. The Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, the Irish Hospital Consultants Association, the Mental Health Reform alliance, the National Association of General Practitioners and all disability rights advocacy groups have criticised this budget severely. The IMO has said that to claim that this is the biggest health budget ever is nothing but spin and fake news. The budget will not even allow us to keep pace with rising health demands and our health crisis will worsen.

Here is the rub, and I do not blame the Taoiseach for this. He does not believe in equality and the budget reflects that position. Where is the fairness for the hundreds and thousands of citizens who are stressed out by worries about money, paying bills and getting and keeping a roof over their heads? Where is the fairness for those who depend on our health services and who live with disabilities, for the poor and for the vulnerable? Will the Taoiseach tell us what they got from his budget?

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