We obviously have work to do.

Perhaps I might ask the Taoiseach about the reply that he gave on 20 April in which he claimed hospital facilities were excellent once one had got through the accident and emergency department. Will he correct the record in that regard, especially concerning people vulnerable to infection and in particular people with cystic fibrosis, who would not have to go near an accident and emergency department or hospital if more specialist cystic fibrosis centres were in place? I know the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, has seen Dr. Ronnie Pollock's report, which was carried out for the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland.

Apart from catching up quickly with a word in his ear from the Tánaiste, has the Taoiseach had a chance to evaluate the report's recommendations? Is he as aware as he should be that Ireland has the highest incidence of cystic fibrosis in the world? On average, a person with cystic fibrosis dies almost ten years earlier in Ireland — in his or her early 20s — than a person with the disease in the North or anywhere else. In the US, a person would on average live into his or her 40s, and much older in some cases. Will the Taoiseach increase the €300,000 the Tánaiste is giving to St. Vincent's Hospital, which treats 60% of adult cystic fibrosis patients, given the dangerously low level of services and facilities because of lack of funding? As a tangible way for the Taoiseach to help matters, will he indicate whether he will lift the cap on staff recruitment, which means the hospital cannot even recruit permanent staff with that paltry sum? It needs an additional €8 million to provide adequate services for cystic fibrosis patients. Will the Taoiseach at least indicate that he will lift the cap so that permanent staff can be recruited in the interim before the money is made available?

The Deputy knows the point I made. I said that accident and emergency facilities are under pressure for several reasons. However, the public constantly expresses satisfaction with the services it receives, whether as inpatients or outpatients, in theatres and in specialist services, in regard to maternity services, cardiac surgery and so on. International statistics indicate that these services are better than anywhere in the world and we should be proud of that.

I asked about cystic fibrosis.

The point I made is that we have achieved enormous success in a range of health services.

The Tánaiste dealt with the issue of cystic fibrosis during yesterday's Question Time and has met the people concerned, as the Deputy mentioned. St. Vincent's Hospital is the national centre for cystic fibrosis patients and we have put significant resources into the process that is under way to upgrade the service and provide additional staff. More than €300 million has been spent on the new hospital that is about to open in Elm Park. As part of a €600 million programme for the health service nationally, the Tánaiste last night announced an additional €42 million for the fit-out of St. Vincent's Hospital.

Treatment of cystic fibrosis patients is one of the high-level services the hospital provides. I hope the additional resources and staff and the ongoing process of updating the facilities will improve the delivery of this service, one of many provided at this excellent hospital.

The Taoiseach has given a good illustration of the reason we must reform the procedures in this House. He does not answer the questions put to him and that is the case in regard to the question I asked about the resources needed for staffing at St. Vincent's Hospital. He did not even mention the cap on recruitment, the one specific point on which I requested a response apart from the general questions I put. I ask him again to address the minor consideration of allowing for the recruitment of permanent staff, even though the paltry funding of €300,000 is far short of the €8 million the hospital requires to provide these services. If he were to deal even with this matter, it would be some small progress.

Does the Taoiseach recognise, despite all his claims that this state is the best and provides a wonderful service, that Ireland is a disgrace internationally in this area? We are the worst in the world in terms of mortality from cystic fibrosis. A staffing level of 175 is required but only 40 are provided and 3.3 consultants are appointed when 29 are needed. The estimated cost of providing the service is €9 million annually. The amount spent on cystic fibrosis is approximately the same as the overrun in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, money that is wasted. Can we save some of that money and give it to those who need it, those who, because of Government policy, are dying an average of ten years' earlier than sufferers in other parts of the world?

The Deputy has asked me to answer one particular question and I will do so. We are recruiting additional staff.

Will they be permanent staff?

We are aware that additional staff is required in this area and the Tánaiste has given resources for that. More consultant staff are required for many of our specialist services. We have significantly increased the number of staff in the health service to more than 106,000 people and we will continue to do so. The provision of services for cystic fibrosis patients is an important area. I am not arguing that we do not need to improve the service. However, I object to the constant attempts to talk down the 106,000 people who provide a good service.

I am not trying to talk down anyone. I am concerned that Ireland should reach international standards in this area.

The Taoiseach should be allowed to continue without interruption.

We are talking down the Taoiseach and his Ministers.

Our standards are internationally recognised. Our consultants and medics are considered internationally to be of a very high order. The Deputy and his colleagues seem daily to find an issue somewhere around the country about which they can complain. These people are out doing their best——

We are talking about cystic fibrosis.

The Taoiseach should be allowed to speak without interruption.

We acknowledge the improvements that are required and it is the reason we have put an additional €1 billion per year into the health service.

Patients still cannot get a bed.

It is the reason the Tánaiste last night announced an extended capital programme of more than €600 million that will improve the health service throughout the State.

Does the Taoiseach believe that is enough?

That should be acknowledged in this House now and again.

That is unacceptable. The Taoiseach simply does not care about this matter.