Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach might explain why he did not answer the question. I very specifically focused on the issue of recruitment and retention of qualified consultants. I pointed out that there is a crisis in recruiting consultants because of a pay differential - the discriminatory pay difference between those recruited after 2012 and those before 2012 - and the Taoiseach chose not to answer the question at all.

He did refer to improvements in cancer and heart disease. The cardiovascular strategy of the late 1990s and the cancer strategies and the centres of excellence are the bedrock or foundation stone for the different quality of care in those two sectors.

It was long before the Taoiseach arrived on the scene.

I am glad the Taoiseach outlined the impact of the National Treatment Purchase Fund. He opposed its inclusion in the confidence and supply agreement three years ago. It took us a long time to convince him and his colleagues about the merits of the National Treatment Purchase Fund and I am glad that in some areas, the numbers are reducing. Hopefully over the next year with the budget allocation that will also happen.

The Public Service Pay Commission has acknowledged the difficulty. Does the Taoiseach acknowledge the issue?

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