Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Facts are one thing, statistics are another and human lives are yet another. The Taoiseach read out a list of facts and figures. I said we have spent €60 billion in the past ten years under three Ministers for Health and Children. The Taoiseach has not addressed the human side of any aspect of this matter, bearing in mind that 40,000 operations have been cancelled and 29,000 people are still on waiting lists. There seems to be no understanding any more of what is happening by members of the Government.

In 1997, Fianna Fáil promised the full implementation of the national cancer strategy, including the creation of centres of excellence in Dublin, Cork and Galway and eight regional centres. Ten years on, the programme is not even half way towards completion.

In 2001, the Government promised in the national health strategy that programmes for breast and cervical cancer screening would be extended nationally. Six years later, women, principally, are discriminated against in the provision of the service. More recently, a report on radiation oncology, produced by the HSE and remarked upon by one of its officials, clearly stated the objectives in this area are unachievable in the timeframe set out.

The joint report, published in 2001, concludes that critically ill adults and children are routinely denied intensive care services in Ireland. It states that the cancellation of major surgery and premature discharge are routine and that these practices are known to increase patient mortality. Nevertheless, in the wake of three Ministers for Health and Children, the Taoiseach tells us things are well.

The "NBSP Women's Charter", which deals with emergency cases of women suffering from breast cancer, lists the following aim: "To arrange for you to be admitted for treatment by specialised trained staff within three weeks of diagnosis". It is an emergency when a woman finds a lump in her breast only to discover that a guarantee made nationally that six beds would be available in the Mater Hospital is no longer being honoured. It is all about the trolley count and saving face. Very little of what the Taoiseach read refers to saving lives. It is about time that the Government, in its remaining 100 days before it is voted out of office, decided to focus on the real issues that exist rather than having the Minister for Health and Children tell us that the crises are manufactured by professional personnel in white coats who look concerned about the people who are dying.

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