Reality has dawned for the Minister and his ego trip. His ego was dented when public spending got out of control and to salve it he reduced spending by the back door. He abolished the first-time buyer's grant. He twice increased the amount the sick must pay each month for medicine. He increased the so-called registration fee for third level students by 70%. He increased hospital charges and, by extension, VHI costs. As he did not have money left to invest in public transport, fares went up by 15%. His ego was well and truly dented by the figures published last night that graphically illustrated the Government's failure to deliver on its promise to eliminate hospital waiting lists by the end of the year. By the end of September, two months ago, 6,273 adults and 1,201 children had been on the waiting list for hospital admission for more than one year. The much vaunted health strategy, worth €10 million, is in tatters.