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

I too thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward this motion. We proposed a similar motion four weeks ago. It is important because so many areas, including Killarney and areas in south Kerry, are under pressure for GPs. Those areas are losing doctors. Even more people are being brought into the area but there is no other doctor to cater for those extra people. We are talking about different ways to help GPs. Going back in time, I remember when there was a doctor's residence and dispensary in every parish. Deputy Micheál Martin has boasted that he got rid of the health boards but that was a backwards step because the health boards were accountable to elected members, which is not the case anymore. We had residences and dispensaries in every parish. In 2012, the HSE centralised the ambulance service, which meant a reduction in services. Ordinary people need care. They get sick at weekends and at night and need to be treated urgently. I know of a case where a young baby stopped breathing on a Friday evening and the family had to wait for two hours before the ambulance came. That is not good enough. The baby was six weeks old. Elderly people need and deserve care. Enough money is being pumped into the HSE but we are not getting the results for it.

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