Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

Since this Seanad convened less than a year ago there have been a considerable number of debates on health, which is indicative of people's major concerns about the issue. One must commend the Minister on coming before the House on every occasion he has been asked to do so. Each time he has defended his position and set out what he is doing. That is commendable in terms of accountability, availability, etc. As I listened to him earlier, however, I was struck by the fact that his comments are beginning to sound like a plea. He is saying, "Please believe me, this is what I am trying to do. I am pumping more and more money into the health service."