Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support the point made by Senator Crown regarding waiting lists and people not being able to access diagnostic procedures that are essential for them. This is leading to waste within the health services because other treatments are being offered which are unnecessary when what is required is that people would have such access in the first instance. In connection with that, I would also raise the failure to fill the vacancies in the podiatric section. Even Diabetes Ireland is highlighting the fact that many people with diabetes subsequently have to undergo amputations which would be unnecessary if the correct professional expertise was available to assist people with diabetes and type 2 diabetes in particular. That is all leading to waste in the public service because there are disability allowances and various other costs attaching as a consequence. Somebody needs to get a grip and run our public services in a much more efficient way than has happened heretofore.

I ask the Leader to consider arranging for a debate in this House across a number of Departments, particularly the Department of Health, where we could examine what was said pre-election, which was that the waste in the public service would be tackled. It amounts to probably anywhere between €4 billion and €5 billion which could be removed from the cost of the services purely by making people accountable, identifying the waste and ensuring that the services are run efficiently.

I agree with the point made by Senator Ó Clochartaigh. There are serious challenges within the agricultural industry, of which the fodder crisis is one and there are others. There is the challenge to the future of the industry in terms of the Common Agricultural Policy discussions and the Common Fisheries Policy. Leaving the vacancy in the Department unfilled means that the Minister has to grapple with all these challenges on his own, which is unconscionable. I can reliably inform the Senator that this position is being dangled as an inducement to quite a number of Members of the Lower House to get them to vote for the abortion Bill. I can also reliably inform him that as soon as that Bill is voted on that position will be filled.