Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On outpatients, unfortunately we are not making the same kind of progress. The number of people waiting more than three months to see a specialist is now more than 350,000. However, the number of missed appointments is 500,000. The slots are available but they are not being filled. I know it is not as simple as that but this demonstrates the efficiency problem we have in managing the waiting lists. We need to do a big job on that and we will give the NTPF the job of centrally managing waiting lists into the future. It has done a good job on operations and procedures, on which I outlined the figures, through a combination of outsourcing and insourcing. People forget that the NTPF now acts as a commissioning agent and pays public hospitals to do much of this work, often on Saturdays and during the evening time.

On recognising Palestine, the programme for Government position is that we support the recognition of Palestine as an independent state but we will do that in the context of there being a two-state solution. Unfortunately, that is not yet the case. We stand together with our western European partners in believing that is the best context in which to recognise Palestinian statehood. Sweden acted unilaterally and decided to recognise Palestine on its own, as it is absolutely entitled to do. Other western European countries have decided that we should do that in the context of there being a two-state solution, which is not yet the case. It would be more powerful for western European countries to do this together rather than individual countries doing it on their own.

On the question on the Stardust fire and the programme for Government, as I mentioned, the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, secured a commitment in the programme for Government that this matter would be examined. A former judge and Member of this House - I do not know him personally but I know he is held in high esteem by the vast majority of Members - was given that work to do. He examined the matter and the evidence presented and issued his report. He took the view that the evidence presented was not sufficient to warrant further inquiries. There is now a request for a new inquest. I explained earlier in the House the procedures as to how that could happen. That is a decision for the Attorney General acting independently of Government.

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