Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I suggest respectfully that if the Taoiseach needs examples, he should undertake a review of the RTB. Believe you me, I could extend a level of examples. This is not the first time I have mentioned on the floor of the House that the RTB is no longer fit for purpose. It is the umpteenth time.

Why are we running the country through the media? Why is Natasha O'Brien here today to give us an example of how the system does not work? Why do we wait for "Prime Time" to bring to the fore things that the Government consistently buries its head in the sand about? The Government denied there was any such thing as go-away money. It refused to investigate it until "Prime Time" gave it the evidence. It is the same in Straffan, County Kildare, where there were numerous reports to the Department of agriculture. It seems that all and its mother knew the cruelty being carried out at Shannonside Foods. A week after "Prime Time" exposed it, the slaughterhouse and abattoir were closed down.

We cannot continue to run the country based on what the media tells us. The people in this House stand up frequently and advise the Government of the issues that need to be dealt with. It is the same with our CAMHS system, I regret to say. Numerous times I have mentioned that we have a referral issue in CAMHS in south Wexford. The Minister continues to tell me there is no waiting list. The issue is that it is not accepting patients. The head burying has to stop. I ask the Taoiseach, with all due respect, to start to recognise the issues represented by the Deputies who represent their people and do not wait for "Prime Time" or "Liveline" or Natasha to bring it to our attention, with all due respect.

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