Colette Kelleher (Independent) | Oireachtas source

For some time I have been referring to the fact that Cork University Maternity Hospital, CUMH, has the longest gynaecology waiting lists in the country. This causes fear and endangers the health of women who are desperately waiting for an outpatient appointment or an urgent procedure or treatment. For a change, however, I want to report some positive developments and give credit where credit is due. Last week the doctors' plan developed with hospital group management involving new governance procedures and an investment of €14 million was signed off on by the Minister for Health. I thank all of my colleagues in this and the other House who joined me in highlighting the long gynaecology waiting lists in CUMH for keeping the pressure on and helping to broker solutions. I know that we will all be monitoring the progress of the plan to ensure women on the waiting list are reached that it will make a difference. I commend the work of Senator Colm Burke and the Leader in this matter. I ask the Leader to pass on my thanks to the Minister and his officials for the breakthrough made last week.

I thank colleagues for their cross-party support for the Adult Safeguarding Bill which I will bring forward this afternoon. Given the recent examples of abuse and harm caused to adults, we can all agree that the Bill is timely. It draws on a painful learning from our experiences and cases with which we have become too familiar. It is forward-looking, constructive and, in the words of Mervyn Taylor from Sage, the support and advocacy service for older people, replaces the indignation which we are all so very good at showing on legislation. I am looking forward to the debate and hope as many Members as possible will contribute because like all Bills, it can be improved and amended. Of course, I hope all Members will support its passage.