David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A Government Member, who I will not name as he has left the Chamber, spoke of amnesia, soundbites and slogans. He best summed up where the Government is at itself on a range of issues at present, given the litany of broken promises on child benefit, college fees, the creation of thousands of jobs each month and recently on health issues and the extension of free general practitioner, GP, care to people participating in the long-term illness scheme. It is time for Members to have that debate on the health services for which I have called many times. The Government promised to bring in universal health insurance but, instead, we will get a private health insurance model based on the Dutch model, which I believe will deepen inequalities in the health services. While the Government has promised a lot, people are getting the same widespread health inequalities and the same excessive GP fees for those who cannot afford to get private health insurance and who cannot get medical cards. People experience the same lengthy health waiting lists across hospitals in this State, and I can provide examples from where I live in Waterford, where outpatient waiting lists are very long and people wait three years before seeing a consultant. While people can be treated very well and promptly on entering the system, the problem pertains to waiting to see a consultant and getting into the system. In addition, the Government has effected widespread cuts in hospitals across the State. While the Government has promised a great deal and while its constituent parties engaged in soundbites and slogans before the last general election, it now suffers from the same amnesia of which one of its representatives has accused the Opposition. Consequently, it is important to have that debate on health care and I ask the Leader to ensure it is held in the coming weeks.