Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am an expert on tonsils as well. There is no difference in the waiting list for tonsils or no particular issue arising above and beyond that with any other specialties for which people are waiting.

Deputy Michael Healy-Rae is talking about people going to Belfast, which is an available avenue. That is a European-wide initiative. Every country in the EU is able to avail of services in any other EU country. That is not unique to Ireland. We are not merely exporting, which is the narrative that is being put out there, these operations abroad. It is the right of every citizen of the EU to avail of a service in any other EU country and we are only fulfilling our obligation under EU law.

A little while ago, I referred to an additional €35 million being given to the NTPF this year to purchase these operations. Many of those are not done abroad but are done in the private sector in Ireland. There is capacity within the private sector to deliver and to help with the waiting lists. Much of the money that is being spent is being spent in our own country as well.

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