Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Despite what one might call, pardon the pun, the healthy economic indicators that are with us now, our hospital waiting lists have never been as long. There are 711,000 people on inpatient and outpatient waiting lists, which is a staggering percentage of the population. We also have acute shortages in consultants and nurses in hospitals, leaving our most vulnerable citizens without access and, probably more important, timely access to necessary services. According to the Irish Medical Organisation, in excess of 400 consultant positions remain unfilled. Overcrowding costs lives and must stop. We need to improve and increase capacity, recruit the necessary staff and increase resources for the National Treatment Purchase Fund in the short and long term. I ask that the Minister for Health come to the House at some point to outline how he intends to reduce waiting lists and tackle the issues I raise. I am sure lots of work is being done but it is important that we find out exactly what is being done to tackle waiting lists specifically and the many vacancies in the health service.

Yesterday, Electric Ireland announced an increase in its residential electricity prices by 6.2% and residential gas prices by 8%. It is estimated that these price hikes will add an extra €56 to the average annual electricity bill and €55 to the average annual gas bill. According to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, during the past 12 months, 29% of households were unable to afford to keep their homes warm. While the issue of people trying to keep people warm is probably not one to raise on a day like today - the opposite is probably the case - the proposed increases in electricity and fuel charges will affect many people. The Government must make sure there are safeguards in place, particularly for the most vulnerable.

Litter, particularly in Dublin and Dublin city centre, is another factor associated with the current weather conditions. Dublin City Council provides a good service but it needs to ramp it up during this period, particularly around canals and beaches. The capacity that is normally required falls far short of what is needed for these kinds of days. In many cases, people trying to deposit rubbish they find that bins are full. Extra staff are needed in Dublin City Council and other councils. The chief executive of Dublin City Council, Owen Keegan, was the county manager in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council when I sat on the council. I know he has staff but extra capacity is needed, not only for tourists, although that is also important, but for citizens visiting or living in Dublin. Senators are fond of referring to seagulls but I saw a seagull pecking at a bag, opening it and getting all the rubbish out. We need adequate capacity and extra bins for this time of the year.

The so-called McLibel case in the European Court of Human Rights concerned the right of all citizens to paid legal representation. There are people who are unable to access free legal aid in cases involving the repossession of family farms and residential properties by banks and various vulture funds. Promises were made to provide free legal aid. Will the Leader find out when the Government will provide free legal aid for people who are facing this difficulty? My understanding is that it is a European right and that Ireland is in breach of a ruling of the European Court of Human Rights because it does not provide this right for citizens. I ask the Leader for a response? Yvonne Walsh has been in jail for 55 days arising from a case involving the attempted repossession of her house.