Phil Prendergast (Labour)

In the interest of not interrupting Senator Feeney earlier I remained quiet when she remarked that she felt there was a criticism of HSE staff implied in the motion. I worked for 23 years as a midwife and nurse in the health services. My husband has given 30 years of service. On the basis that, as a couple, we have given between us 53 years of service I can speak with some degree of authority on the HSE and the way it functions. At no time did I imply the staff of the HSE were not working to the best of their abilities. Every day and night of the year, regardless of whether it is Christmas night, Easter or any other holiday, that service is provided by nurses, clerical officers and other staff who give out the cups of tea and clean the hospital wards. I have the highest regard for the way those frontline staff deliver services. I appreciate that the Minister feels put out by what she describes as constant criticism, but programmes such as "Prime Time" do not manufacture evidence.

The stories I have heard from Senator Doherty and others and the support I received from the opposite side of the House gives me a glimmer of hope that we will get support for this motion, although I am aware the Government side will in reality vote against these proposals. By offering solutions to some of the deficiencies in the health service, we might achieve a positive result. I have respect for the Minister, who does her best, but I am critical of a system which was established to replace 11 health boards but is not coping or delivering meaningful interventions. It was claimed that the reduction of waiting times to 12 hours is an improvement on what existed ten years ago, but the system has not improved if a patient cannot access a toilet or if the condition of a person suffering diabetes is exacerbated.

Tonight Crumlin hospital is short of 24 neonatal nurses and a further 120 jobs may have to go in this tertiary referral centre. Difficult decisions will have to be made on where the service will be cut. Will the jobs be taken from the neonatal unit, child oncology services or education support roles? I have been in that situation and I know it is not easy but we have put forward our proposals in the hope of introducing a degree of accountability and making a positive intervention.

I am not here to criticise the Government because I want to think we can work together. I am heartened that several Government Senators supported me tonight, including Senators O'Malley, de Búrca and Callely. I hope that support will continue when the House votes on this motion. I thank the Minister of State for attending tonight and my colleagues on this side of the House for their contributions and support.