Kate Walsh (Progressive Democrats)

I am honoured to be here for the Minister's address. I add my voice to that of Senator Minihan.

By allocating just over €9 billion to health this year alone, the Government must now institute change in the State's health services. We have established that the problems besetting our system are not financial but managerial and administrative. As we examine ways in which the health system can be reformed and improved, we must remember that at all times the patient is our first consideration. The greatest help to any health service is the level of care administered to patients.

We are spending €9 billion of taxpayers' money on health this year. We owe it to the public to make sure we are spending it effectively. The public, the patients and their friends and relatives pay for the system and deserve the best we can offer.