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

I too am very glad to get an opportunity to speak on this very important matter. As has been pointed out to me, these medical students have gone through a five-year course and are highly trained with special skills.

They are vital to the running of hospitals like University Hospital Kerry in Tralee, where I am sorry to say that many appointments have been cancelled in recent days. That is not fair on the people who need procedures. I hope that they are being carried out today. I have friends and special people who have been waiting a long time and are hopeful that their procedures will go through today.

I am not blaming the current Minister, but the HSE. These people are being underpaid. Just look at the courses they had to take and the experience they needed to gain. Proper outcomes, and many lives, depend on them. We must see after them. At the heart of this situation is the increased cost of living. They are just fighting for a chance to live, put food on their tables and support their families.

The suspension of appointments is jeopardising outcomes for people who have been waiting a long time. I am pleased that talks are going ahead. They should have gone ahead long ago. Will the Government please rectify the situation? It should not be happening. I am blaming the HSE, not individual Ministers.

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