Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the objections made and will give an example of why the Deputies are correct in what they have stated. This is changing so quickly. One of the consequences the country is facing is that home help hours have not been reduced but completely cut. That is a consequence of the decisions that had to be taken.

I am supporting the Minister for Health in this 100% and commending him. However, when a result like that comes from decisions that have been taken, I believe we have to be able to stand clear. We have to be able to hold the Government to account in a working together way. It is not that we want to come in here and knock stripes of the Minister or anything like that; that is not what I am talking about. We are talking about the welfare and health of the people inside this room and the staff in this building. I am interested and very worried as is each Deputy about the health and well-being of the people who are at home today and who have got phone calls telling them their home help has been stopped. Those people could potentially finish up in our acute hospitals or our community hospitals as a result of home help being stopped. No one inside here and no one in government wants that to happen. I know the Minister for Health does not want that to happen. We have to work together and be able to discuss these issues and problems and that is why I support the Deputies in saying it is our job to come here and give the Minister what we are hearing. In fairness, he needs us all to work together with him, not against him.

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