Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to speak to the motion on the Further Revised Estimates for public services 2019. Quite simply, some of the revised figures are astonishing. I note, in particular, the health Estimates. In 2015 the health budget was €13.2 billion; in 2016 it was €14 billion; in 2017, €14.8 billion; and in 2018, €16,051 billion, while this year it is €16.953 billion. On that basis and with that level of expenditure, a person would think we would see some value for money and accountability. Earlier we debated a motion of confidence in the Minister for Health who arrogantly tweeted today, thinking he was John Wayne or someone else riding into the High Chapparal. He is just punch drunk. He has no experience and is not accountable to anyone, but he will be accountable to the people of County Wicklow, where, please God, he will get his just reward. He is responsible for almost €17 billion in expenditure, for which there is zero accountability.

I thank all of the front-line workers, nurses, doctors, paramedics and cleaners, who go into work every day to try to do an excellent job and a fair day's work for a fair day's pay. They are mistreated and disrespected by the Minister for Health and the Minister for Finance. They were forced onto the picket line in all weather conditions. The disrespect shown to them by the Minister for Finance was appalling. The arrogance is gobsmacking. It is just unbelievable, but there will be a day of reckoning and it might not be that far away. When the Brexit baby falls from the cradle and shatters like a little vase, the Government will have no place to hide. I am not diminishing the importance of Brexit or how serious it is, but the Government and Fianna Fáil are hiding behind the Brexit baby. When it grows up, they will have nothing to hold in terms of the confidence and supply agreement. As I said last week, it is all supply and no confidence, as we saw again tonight. Six minutes before the vote was called the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, was goading the Opposition.

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