Health Minister Accused Of 'Breathtaking Arrogance'

The Health Minister Leo Varadkar has been accused of "breathtaking arrogance" for his alleged dismissive response to the Euro Health Consumer Index on hospital waiting times.

Fianna Fáil health spokesperson, Billy Kelleher, said that Mr Varadkar's response to the index showed "just how out of touch the government is with the realities facing the health services".

"The breath-taking arrogance of Leo Varadkar to simply cast this report aside is outrageous. Ireland previously maintained mid-table performance in this index between 2009 and 2012 and then fell to last place under the performance of this government," Deputy Kelleher said.

"Waiting times for emergency care in Irish hospitals are the worst in Europe. That's not opposition. It's a matter of fact. The Minister can't choose which facts he'll take seriously and which ones he can ignore.

"Fine Gael and their arrogant approach have caused chaos in the health service. After five years of false budgets and unreachable targets our hospitals are more burdened than ever. Patients are forced to endure intolerable delays in Emergency Departments and Minister Varadkar has now gotten to a point where he calls the widespread cancellation of operations at major hospitals a success.

"It is clear Fine Gael is intent on attacking the vital services the public depend on. Fianna Fáil will invest in public services, increase staff numbers to provide better, safe work environments and restore dignity for patients."

(MH/LM)