Cyprian Brady (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State. I congratulate him and the Minister for Health and Children on the publication of two excellent reports.

After 30 years, it is self-evident that the system of health service needs to change. Each year, €9.2 billion is spent on the service, which is the biggest public sector employer in the State. Nearly 1 million people were treated in acute hospitals last year and there were almost 60 million GP consultations, but problems still exist. Both reports conclude that there is scope for improvement in many areas, not least in the day-to-day management of the system and in the financial and accounting procedures of that management.

The system has served the country well in the past. The over 100,000 people employed in the health service have built up a huge reservoir of talent and expertise in a large number of areas. Both reports, and the Prospectus report in particular, acknowledge their commitment and dedication. They also point out that the workers, like their clients, deserve better. They deserve the opportunity to work in a system which is much better managed and controlled and which helps and supports them in offering the highest quality service to the public. However, both reports conclude that under the current structures this is not possible in many instances. As Senator Henry pointed out, morale in the system is very low. We must ask why this is the case.