Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I note what the Taoiseach plans to do over the next six months but my question was more about what was done over the past six months. The public is justifiably sceptical about Ministers with plans. We have been hearing about what is planned for the health service since the Taoiseach was Minister for Health and Children. It begs the question of how many health ministers it takes to change a health service. There are four current or former health ministers in the Cabinet.

The shortage of critical care beds was the most significant shortage that we had in this country relative to others. Of the 40 funded six months ago, if I understand the Taoiseach's figures correctly, only 23 have been provided - a little over half. It seems nothing concrete is planned for UHL other than aspirations. I appreciate that the Taoiseach is three months in office, but these were three months when we were looking down the barrel of the gun of a winter crisis which, hopefully, will not arise. If the medics and the predictions by NPHET are incorrect, it will not happen. If they are correct, then we are facing a calamity and we need to move. We do not need to hear much more about plans. We need delivery and the delivery over the past six months does not inspire confidence in what can be delivered over the next six.

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