Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy McDonald. First, I answered her three questions sequentially and clearly. I will continue to engage with her on the three answers I gave her. Second, it is a little dismissive to suggest words and rhetoric when 120 procedures this year is not rhetoric and massive levels of investment in theatres and hiring more nurses and doctors are not words; they are real actions. I know it suits the Deputy to suggest these are just words and rhetoric but they are real things we are doing to make a real difference. There is no monopoly on concern. Even in the past fortnight, the Minister for Health has received requests from Mr. Moore, the new clinical lead, in relation to further additional staff and posts and has provided the green light. I will engage with the Deputy in good faith on these exchanges but it is not words or rhetoric; it is real solid action which we are taking to address an extraordinarily difficult thing. She can shake her head if she wishes but that is what it is.

I hope that when Sinn Féin meets and engages with these families and positions itself as having all the solutions to all of the issues, it has the good grace to tell them that when it had an opportunity to put an alternative health budget to this House, it provided €500 million less to the health service than this Government provided.

See this speech in context