Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

Tá fáilte roimh an Aire go dtí an Teach. In any circumstances that have existed for 30 years, it is important to look at how the Government has performed and what it has achieved. To borrow a well-hackneyed catch call, a lot has been done, there is more to do and we must ask how we can improve on it. I support the motion tabled by the Progressive Democrats.

As a member of a health board, having worked for a health board and having spent almost 24 years in public life, it would be remiss of me not too look at both sides of the coin. We must look at what the health boards have achieved and endeavour to do what must be done. In the context of human living there is no such thing as utopia.

Today's conventional wisdom is that structural reform means fewer health boards. By Irish standards the health system is vast and complex. Reducing the number of health boards will not be a panacea for all our ills; health boards are only one element of the health service and it is important that the roles and responsibilities of those involved in any future system should be clearly defined. Issues of governance will also arise. Is the future system to be a tightly controlled centralised model and what role will local democracy play?

Funding has been increased by 154% to almost €9 billion – a 6% increase on last year. While there has been a welcome increase in the level of funding for health and social services, the current level of spending is not excessive by international standards. This funding has resulted in an increase of 17% in hospital activity since 1997. More than 970,000 in-patient discharges were treated in 2002. Contrary to statistics offered by the Opposition, waiting lists are down by 22% nationally.