Mary Henry (Independent)

I attended that session of the committee and it was months ago. A decision must be made. I was a member of Comhairle na nOspidéal, which was frequently blamed for the delay in the appointment of consultants, but I often found that the delay was longer in the Department of Health and Children because the financing is not available for posts long before they are needed. One consultant told me that he returned from the United States to take up a position here only to find that no beds had been allocated. It is pointless to appoint people to hospitals where no provision has been made for them to perform their function. I was afraid this consultant would return to the United States even though his services were urgently needed here.

It is a depressing situation. Having worked in the health service for so long, I clearly recognise the improvements that have taken place in procedures. I am also very aware, however, of the huge demand from patients and the attendant difficulties in provision, our ageing population, the very slow progress we are making in many areas and the dreadful effect the building of capital projects in which nobody is allowed to work is having on the morale of health service workers.