Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Democracy is a fragile process. We know that from recent events in Oughterard. Part of the democratic process is for the Opposition to hold the Government to account in language the ordinary person understands. I have asked the Minister a simple question. I refer to 11 specific posts in Galway - there is list of over 100 unfilled posts in Donegal - where people have received their positions for vital posts in a vital pillar of the Government's health policy, namely primary care, which I agree with. Did the Government direct the director of the HSE not to fill these posts? Has it had a role in that? Has it been drawn to the Government's attention prior to me drawing it to the Minister's attention?

The Minister refers to balanced budgets. Is the Government telling us that the budget will be balanced at all costs and that these posts will not be filled in the interest of balancing the budget and having a surplus? Is that what I am to tell the people of Galway, the patients on trolleys and the 43,000 on waiting lists? I have made it easy for the Minister because I am asking her about this issue specifically. They have gone through the process. I do not like to repeat myself, but I wish the Minister would answer my question. How can she stand over having 11 empty posts which are only the tip of the iceberg? She should state whether she is in favour of filling these vacancies, or that she does not know anything about them and will look into the matter, but I ask her to, please, just give me an answer I can understand.

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