Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday we listened to the budget speech and many of us are still poring over it to see what it all means. What does it really matter when one thinks of two things that have happened in our broken-down health system in recent days? The brave and honest Emma Mhic Mhathúna died on Sunday. Her mass in Kerry took place as the Minister for Finance gave his budget speech. Her remains passed the doors of this House to remind us all how she was failed. She did not need to die on Sunday but she did die because she was failed.

Last week, despite promises made to me that it would not happen again, another brave person, namely, a ten year old boy from Carlow, Brandon Bolger, was also failed. His chemotherapy was delayed because there was no bed for him, the third time in a few weeks he had had no bed, delaying his chemotherapy. Other children are in the same position. I put forward a Commencement matter and the Minister apologised, but the same thing happened two days ago. What is wrong with our society when we allow women to die unnecessarily and when we keep vital treatment from sick children? Real people matter, not numbers, and my thoughts and prayers go to Emma's five children in Kerry today as they lay their mother to rest. She fought very hard to ensure women's lives mattered in this country and she inspired us all.

I call for action on promises made yesterday. I want someone to tell me that Brandon Bolger will not be made to wait for cancer treatment again. His life matters too, and I am calling on this Government to stop breaking its promises and failing the people.