Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Did I hear the Taoiseach correctly when he said that the audit he sought as Minister for Health was never actually carried out? If that is a fact, surely now, in light of the information highlighted by "Prime Time", the Taoiseach will direct his Minister for Health to ensure an audit is carried out to find out what the consultants are doing to reduce the lists. Are they, in fact, working in a private capacity to the detriment of the people waiting on our public list? That is of paramount importance.

The figures the Taoiseach quoted regarding the waiting lists shrinking are explained easily. The lists are shrinking because people have no choice but to go private. People are selling their possessions to go private. I have the figures for Cork and Kerry. Some 517 patients are waiting to be seen in Cork University Hospital outpatients clinic for ophthalmology review. Some 113 patients are waiting for cataract surgery in South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital. That is 630 people from the county of Kerry who have trouble with their eyes and nothing is being done to help them. What, in light of the programme last night, is the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, going to do about this very serious situation?

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