Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, four consultants have been appointed.As I indicated, earlier this month the Government announced an additional €74 million to tackle overcrowding. This allocation is additional to the €25 million in extra funding provided at the start of the year and a further €3 million provided at the end of last year.

Having inherited a very serious problem, the Government is bringing order to the nation's finances. If we were to adopt the policies of the Senator's party, we would not be able to tax anyone or generate revenue. Sinn Féin does not want to pay hospital consultants more than €150,000 per annum, yet we are already experiencing great difficulties in attracting consultants to work in the health system because they can earn more abroad. We want to solve the problem of overcrowding in hospitals. The Minister for Health is committed to doing so and has worked hard at Government level to deliver the funding needed to address the problem.