Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I support the amendment proposed by my colleague, Senator Glynn. I warmly welcome the Minister to the House and wish her well with her new portfolio.

There are significant demands on the health budget which exceeds €9 billion. Particular areas need attention and, as other speakers have pointed out, we are all aware of the problems. We are not saying problems do not exist, they do. The widening of eligibility for medical cards is only one of the problems which needs to be addressed.

The Government has spent more on health than any of its predecessors. Senator Minihan pointed out that ten years ago the health budget was in the region of €3 billion while today it is almost €10 billion. As he said, ten years ago one would have thought that if €10 billion were spent on the health service it would be a first class one.

A significant and growing percentage of national wealth is spent on health. Many of the measures currently in train to improve the health service will come to fruition in the years to come. Opposition Members are meant to be bright people and they will appreciate that there is no quick fix——