David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We know the Bill is not going to commence any time soon. We want to work with the Minister in delivering all of this. The point I was making earlier around putting more capacity into GP services is that even when we get to the point where we can implement these provisions, I am not convinced the capacity will be there. At a time when we are trying to deliver Sláintecare, increase GP access and convince people that this actually can be done - many people are sceptical that we can deliver universal healthcare given that we do not have the capacity in primary care and we do not have enough GPs, and they are concerned about whether the political will is there to do it - it is really regrettable that we are now talking about going off and engaging in consultation. The point I am making is not that we should engage but that the engagement should have been commenced already and we should have had that work done before the Bill was brought forward. That is the point about putting the cart before the horse, which others have raised. The Government is saying we will set the legislative stage, get the Bill passed and God knows when we will be actually able to deliver the provisions in it. If we are saying that delivery is contingent on having increased capacity, but that increased capacity is not in place quickly enough, then people will ask those in this House who passed this Bill when they are going to see the colour of our money. That is unfortunate.

This is the first Bill the Minister has introduced since his appointment. I said in my opening remarks that I wish him well. We want to work with him to get things done. One of the first things we have to do as a new Dáil and as health spokespersons, and which the Minister must do as the new Minister for Health, is to convince people that change in healthcare provision can happen, we are serious about it and that when we say we will deliver universal healthcare and better GP services, we will actually do it. Covid or no Covid, we must commit to that and get it done.

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