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

I thank Sinn Féin. The only criticism I have of it is that Deputy Cullinane should have said at the start of this debate that he was pulling the motion. He should have collapsed the Dáil this evening over it and had the screens go blank. I will tell the House why. He should have done so because it is the height of disrespect to him, his party and the work its staff put into bringing this motion before the Dáil that the Minister for Health is not here.

Think about it. We are debating hospitals, waiting times and what ambulance delays are. We are debating all that and there is no sign of the Minister for Health. That is totally wrong and it is giving the two fingers to the people of Ireland and the electorate, who are the important people and our bosses. The letters "TD" stand for Teachta Dála, servant of the people. On the other side of the House, it has gone so much to their heads and bottoms that they do not know their heads from their backsides because their heads are firmly stuck into their backsides and it is horrible to think what they are doing to the people.

I want to highlight a number of matters, including the massive lack of investment, the regional disparities, matters relating to the mental health services and the impact on vulnerable populations.

Our ambulances are full because our EDs are full; our EDs are full because the hospitals are full; and the hospitals are full because they struggle to discharge patients or they do not have enough beds in the first place. Ireland simply does not have enough beds. Another thing that is happening in our EDs is that they are full of people who would go to a local GP if they had a local GP, but they do not have one because the whole system is breaking down. I do not see why the Government thinks that money is the answer when mismanagement is what is actually happening. It is a disgrace. I am very glad to be taking Kerry patients out of Killarney and Castleisland to the North for treatment. The bus leaves full of Kerry patients. I am very glad to have been organising that service for many years for those who need hip and knee operations and all the different surgeries that can be performed, but it is a shame to have to do it. It is great to be able to take Kerry patients to the North, but it is wrong to have to do so. On a personal note, it is great to see a man of Deputy Ring's experience and ability in the Chair.

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