Paul Bradford (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I second the amendment proposed by Senator Crown and compliment him on the contribution he made this morning. It is a stark reminder that nothing has changed as far as health service administration is concerned, which is depressing. Governments and Ministers have changed over the past ten to 15 years but the service has not improved. We have all read about the ever-lengthening hospital waiting queues and, therefore, must concede that root and branch reform is required. In that regard, I support the intervention made by Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill. He asked us to reflect on the fact that we cannot simply return to the concept of business as usual.

There is a debate on the concept of pay restoration. We all want to see public servants and all workers, especially those at the lower end of the payscale, having their wages increased, be it by way of pay or, preferably, a reduction in tax and USC. We simply cannot buy into the concept of pay restoration. Restoration to what? Is it restoration to the type of economy which ruined this country over the past ten years? Is it the restoration to a Celtic tiger boom and bust scenario? No, thanks. We need to focus on what Senator Ó Domhnaill remarked upon, the need for absolute root and branch reform across the system. Obviously that applies to the health service and the problems raised by Senator Crown this morning. The matter is worthy of serious debate.

Our learned colleague, Senator Crown, presented the statistic that almost 10% of the population await a service or appointment from the health department. That is a Third World statistic and one which we should not stand over.