Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Rural Independent Group, I thank the Taoiseach and President Higgins for acknowledging the failure. It is truly shocking to listen to Vicky Phelan, who spoke on the radio yesterday, Emma Mhic Mhathúna, Stephen Teap and others, but have we learned anything? I do not believe we have. Since the first lockdown in March, all procedures have been backed up, with people not attending, not being called or unable to get in. Damage is being done with all kinds of cancer, including cervical, breast and prostate cancer. Doctors and other people are telling us of the damage to physical and mental health, but the Government is not listening and has not learned anything.

I do not think the HSE in its present format and the Department of Health are fit to learn. They do not want to learn. The HSE is a conglomerate that is out of control. The Taoiseach set it up. I hate to be negative on this issue, but I am partly negative. I am pleading for us to have a testing regime that is fit for purpose, which we do not have. I am pleading for the people to be seen. Some have died since they have been diagnosed. Doctors say this and they are sacked. What is going on is a travesty and a total injustice to those who have life sentences and to the rest of our country. The people are bigger eejits to listen to it and accept it.

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