The Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, was on the radio in the past number of days essentially stating that the universal health insurance policy, as per the programme for Government, is at an end. Meanwhile, the crisis facing the health service continues. In particular, overcrowding in emergency departments is at an all-time high since records began. The number of people waiting on trolleys in St. Vincent's University Hospital in Dublin is up 332% on the June 2014 figure at 484. In Waterford, the figure is up 178% on the June 2014 figure, a marked increase in the level of overcrowding. The number at Beaumont Hospital is up 150% at 757. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, should know that well. In Limerick, the figure is up 80%; in Galway, it is up 59%; in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda, it is up 42%; and it is up 36% in Connolly Hospital. The Minister talks about universal care now instead of a universal insurance system.

Liam Doran, general secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, says that the level of deterioration, the resulting compromising of patient care and excessive workloads on working staff contained in these figures is truly shocking. He says that what has been done to date has failed to address the problem, which continues to grow, and that it is the worst June in terms of overcrowding since the INMO began counting trolleys in 2004.

I listened with great attention to the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, last Saturday when he again spoke like a detached commentator, which has become synonymous with his term in office as Minister for Health. The programme for Government outlines an extensive list of proposed legislation relating to the hospital system and particularly the application of universal health insurance to that system. Is that legislation now shelved? Are all the legislative commitments in the programme for Government relating to health shelved in light of the Minister's comments? When will we see legislation on patient safety, particularly patients who are ending up on trolleys in such large numbers in the middle of summer?

To be fair, we are seeing a progressive improvement in the way the health service is being managed.

The Minister must be joking.

The Minister should go to Beaumont Hospital.

In the past 12 months, an extra 1,000 people have been employed in the health service and 200 extra beds have been opened. There is an increase in the number of people being treated in our hospitals. Undoubtedly there is pressure on our hospital beds, but there is a response. The waiting times in the hospitals are down on what they were in February, so we are making progress.

They are way up in the past 12 months. Waiting times have gone through the roof.

However, we must be realistic and recognise that part of the change that is necessary for reform is to get better access at primary level. One of the priorities of the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, is to open up access-----

It is to shelve the Government's policy.

-----to primary care to a wider range of people.

What about the 191 reports when the Deputy was Minister?

The Government has abandoned its policy.

From 1 July, children under six years of age and people aged 70 and over have access to primary care and that will take the pressure off hospitals over time. The Minister's legislative priorities are dictated by the approach he has taken. He is starting with primary care and the Deputy will recognise the importance of the next priority, which relates to alcohol-----

I asked about the programme for Government legislation.

Alcohol legislation will be the next legislative measure. He will proceed through his legislative programme on that basis.

He said he is not going to do it.

What about the 191 reports and the €16 million that was wasted?