Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Leas-Chathaoirleach is a businessman. We have €17 billion in funding for the Department of Health. For the second year in a row, the Department has received its highest allocation ever. What will happen? I will conclude on this matter because it is important. Senator Lawlor referred to respite care and home helps. If we want a health system that delivers for people, it has to be about the people who need it and not the suits. I have become seriously disillusioned with the suits because there is no accountability. I would love if the Minister appointed politicians to his board so that they can go in and get answers because this needs to be done publicly, not in a room with no coverage of proceedings.

I wish the Minister well. He has done a good job thus far. I hope he gets the support he requires to deliver gargantuan change. Senator James Reilly initiated it after the failures of his predecessors, Deputy Micheál Martin and Mary Harney. I wish he had been Minister when money was available. This Minister has a another opportunity and I know he will deliver. I am sorry for being cross, but this is an important issue.