Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

Where does the Senator get off when he talks about leadership? He forgets Deputy Noonan, as does Senator Feighan. Senator Browne talked about somebody waiting six months to have a tooth extracted. I do not know what type of treatment he is talking about. He should wake up and check his facts. He talked about nursing. He should check what the Minister and his Department have done in providing extra places in our nursing schools.

To use a well borrowed phrase, there is a lot done, more to do. During a previous debate here involving the Minister a few hours ago, we heard Senator Henry praise the public health service over waiting lists. She has said it is now easier to be seen as a public patient than it is as a private patient. I take my hat off to her for acknowledging this. We have all acknowledged it and are aware of it. Every day I hear good stories from people who have received excellent care in our public health service. When I come in here, I am subjected to total rubbish from the Opposition, about which I get annoyed.

The Minister was the person who saw the need for reform and recognised the need to get value for money. Nobody can take that from him.