Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to register my disgust that waiting lists for hospital treatments are up to almost 685,000 patients. Some lists have reduced due to Fianna Fáil's insistence that the National Treatment Purchase Fund be reactivated but this decrease is negligible. One also hears anecdotally that waiting lists for cancer testing, monitoring and treatment also have lengthened. This flies in the face of Ireland's previously world-class cancer strategy.

After my colleague, Deputy Kelleher tabled a parliamentary question, we have learned that 172 beds are out of action nationally, 13 of which are in St. James's Hospital. It beggars belief that with between 400 and 500 persons on trolleys each evening nationally, these beds are closed. I call on the Minister for Health to attend the House to have a full debate on hospital waiting lists and to update the House on cancer care in Ireland, including updated figures on treatment in this regard.

I also want to raise the issue of the naming of the new national children's hospital. I put on record my support for the views of the 57 Dublin city councillors that the new hospital be called after Dr. Kathleen Lynn. Dr. Lynn was the founder of St. Ultan's Hospital for infants and was a veteran of the 1916 Rising. I urge the Minister for Health to press the board to take on the views of the councillors. These views represent the wishes of the people. It is now time that we honoured a strong woman from our past such as Dr. Kathleen Lynn who dedicated much of her medical, social and civic service to this country. The Minister should make a statement on this matter.