Liam Twomey (Fine Gael)

In no cases, or perhaps in emergencies. If one needs an appendix operation it will be done within two to five months but normal procedures will not be done within two to five months. One cannot even get an outpatient appointment to see a consultant within two to five months. For an ear, nose and throat or orthopaedic appointment, the waiting time remains two to five years. What the Minister said is misleading; it is a lie.

The Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, came into the House yesterday and spoke about co-location. The problem with co-location, and this arises from a failure to reform, is that half the patients are paying twice for health care. They pay their taxes for the public sector and they pay premiums for private health insurance. The other half of the population who do not have private health insurance are paying for poor access to the health services. They will get good health care but poor access. Misleading comments to the effect that the waiting times are two to five months only increases the ire of people. That is why the Government is getting such abuse from the public because they know the truth is that the waiting time is anything from 12 to 24 months for common procedures. I ask the Minister of State to correct the record in that regard when responding. I wish the Minister of State and everybody here in the House a happy Christmas.