Health services
Mr. Gormley: I see Deputy O’Malley is leaving. I was about to be very generous by acknowledging that any Minister for Health and Children has an unenviable task. It is not an easy job.
Ms F. O’Malley: I will stay for this.
Mr. Gormley: People in the Opposition may say they would like that job but it is, without doubt, difficult because there are so many competing interests. We now have the medical means and technology to keep people alive far longer than previously and the longer they live the more treatment they will require in the course of a lifetime. This consumes more money. This is why we currently find ourselves in difficulty, but we are not alone. Many countries throughout the European Union and elsewhere have difficulties in their health services. For example, the oft-lauded French system will, by all accounts, be broke within 15 years. That is the stark reality many countries must face up to. Having been generous, I need to make some critical remarks.
Ms F. O’Malley: I wondered how long the Deputy could maintain his tone.
Mr. Gormley: The current Minister introduced the HSE. At the time, I said that the HSE would become another layer of bureaucracy and lead to less transparency and accountability. This is exactly what has happened. The current Minister has also presided over the A&E units. It is ironic that the Minister has struck a blow for equality - regardless of whether one is insured or uninsured, one stands a good chance of ending up on a trolley.
Ms F. O’Malley: Does the Deputy note the progress made in accident and emergency units?
An Ceann Comhairle: Allow Deputy Gormley to continue without interruption.
Mr. Gormley: A&E units, particularly in some parts of this city, are overflowing. Deputy O’Malley mentioned progress, I would like her to explain that progress to some of the people waiting on those trolleys. I have tabled a question to the Minister asking what preparations have been made for the winter. Promises were made, not just by the Minister but also by the HSE—–
Ms F. O’Malley: Did the Deputy not see the statement made by the IMO last week?
Mr. Gormley:—–and very little progress has been made. We have a capacity problem which the Minister and the HSE refuse to recognise.
Ms F. O’Malley: They are seeking to address it.
Mr. Gormley: It is not rocket science. Bed capacity in this country has been reduced by 25% over many years and our population has increased by 25% in the meantime. Therefore, we have a problem and need to address it by providing more capacity. The Deputy’s spin on this was wonderful. She said more capacity could be provided by investing in the private sector.
Ms F. O’Malley: We are claiming private beds for public use.
Mr. Gormley: The Deputy’s heartfelt plea and concern for public patients tugged at my heartstrings. It amounts to nothing but spin. The Deputy’s party represents the private sector; the party is concerned with the private patient.
Ms F. O’Malley: Our party is one that presents opportunities and solutions.
Mr. Gormley: If the Deputy really believed in equality, and in the lot of the public patient, why will she not advocate a common waiting list? Would that not make sense? Those who have money get treated first and those that do not have money are left to last. This is the reality. The Deputy’s party would not introduce such a waiting list. The Deputy asked what the Green Party is about. We really believe in equality. Nobody has the guts to stand up and call for a common waiting list. This is where the real inequality lies in our system and it is totally and utterly unacceptable. Many of our A&E units are clogged up at the weekend with people who have consumed too much alcohol. Many illnesses we observe in our hospitals are related to alcohol consumption. In terms of absenteeism and anti-social behaviour, the consequences of alcohol consumption are costing us billions of euro every year. Has the Minister of Health and Children and the Government faced up to that reality? No. The alcohol products Bill was promised by Deputy Martin when he was Minister for Health and Children. It was on the programme of promised legislation but was removed at the behest of the alcohol industry. That was both irresponsible and wrong. Facing up to the realities of alcohol consumption is something that most Deputies here would advocate. Warnings should be put on alcohol bottles. The revival of this Bill is something Deputy O’Malley should speak to her party colleague and Minister about.