Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is correct that this has been going on for 15 years, but this is the first Government that has allocated the necessary funding required to action it and to give concrete reality to all of the reports and aspirations. This Government has decided to do that and this Government has allocated the funding. The issue now is structure, framework and how it is done for the future. It must be done properly with a view to making sure not only that we have a heavily resourced service, but also that we have a very well worked out and high-quality public health service into the future that is expanded significantly on what we have today. Yes, the public health doctors are working under significant pressures and constraints right now. Of that there is no doubt. I thank them for the work they have been doing. There is engagement with the unions and their representatives. This will have to intensify. From our perspective, and from my perspective as Taoiseach, this needs to be brought to a timely conclusion.

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