I note the point in the Minister's speech that we have gone from fifth last to above average regarding the percentage of GNP spent on health on a per capita basis. That is a significant issue, although the speech was predictable enough. For the past 17 years I have watched Ministers delivering speeches written by officials in the Department of Health and Children. Today's speech was headed "Achievements" but the speeches are always about achievements. They wrote the same speeches for Barry Desmond and Deputies Michael Noonan and Brian Cowen, stating what had been achieved.