David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It was with deep sadness that many of us learned of the death of Madiba - Nelson Mandela. Senators cannot do justice to him or to his legacy in contributions on the Order of Business. Given Nelson Mandela's international stature and achievements, I hope the Leader will allow the Seanad to do him justice by allowing Senators on all sides to make full contributions this week. Nelson Mandela was a freedom fighter and peacemaker who understood that there is a time for war and a time for peace. We should take time to have a proper and full examination of his life and what he stood for and to pay tribute to his greatness. The world has lost a great statesman. I hope the Leader will allow time this week for all of us to make comprehensive contributions on this important issue.

I support the amendment to the Order of Business and concur with comments made on increasing waiting times. I raised this issue several times with the Minister for Health who consistently denies there has been any increase in waiting times for patients. In some specialties waiting times are now in excess of two years. I cited a number of examples in Waterford where, as the Leader will be aware, people continue to wait far too long to access orthopaedic services. The problem is not only the time people must wait for the treatment they need but the difficulty they experience even securing an appointment with a consultant. We must discuss this issue with the Minister.

The issue of top-up payments to chief executives of voluntary hospitals is also simmering and causing considerable anger and frustration among citizens.

It is important for the sake of accountability and transparency that we have a proper and independent investigation of the issue so we can find out exactly who knew what, from the Minister and the HSE to the boards and the CEOs. It is unacceptable that we will be discussing increases in waiting times for patients at a time when these top-up payments are being made.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, namely that the Minister with responsibility for the Gaeltacht and the Irish language come to the House to discuss the resignation of the Irish language commissioner. Senator Ó Clochartaigh will speak more about that subject when he seconds the amendment.