Marie Louise O'Donnell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I spent the morning listening to the Irish Medical Organisation, IMO, make its pre-budget submission. What it had to say is quite frightening. This morning, many Senators spoke about hospitals and primary care centres in their areas and they spoke about the health of their communities, villages and towns. We need to start taking the IMO very seriously, especially what it is telling us about public health. I doubt anyone would be able to define what we mean by public health. It links directly into what Senator Devine spoke about in terms of atmospheric pollutants and disease prevention before we get to a hospital at all. It was very interesting listening to the IMO members speak about vacancies for consultants, non-registered hospital doctors, specialist registrars and the doctors and nurses leaving the country. I am not just talking about consultants, it goes right down through the chain. It has to be dealt with through communication. It is fascinating that people are on their phones and they are not even bothering to listen to me. Sometimes, I do not know why we should open up the House again-----