On page 59 in the programme for Government the incoming Government promised to update the national eye care plan and also promised to evaluate the Sligo cataract surgery model, which had been raised in the talks for Government by the Rural Independent Group. I put it to the Taoiseach that the reality in the constituency of Cork South-West is that people are waiting years for cataract operations. These are the official figures. In sheer frustration and concern for our elderly who were going blind, and in some cases have gone blind, Deputy Danny Healy-Rae and I organised a bus to Kingsbridge Private Hospital for cataract surgery under the cross-Border directive. We thought we would shame the Government into action but we were wrong. I have called for an operating theatre to be opened in Munster in hospitals of excellence like Bantry or Mallow to carry out these simple procedures, which would prevent these elderly people having to travel to Belfast. On Sunday, 10 June bus No. 10 will travel to Belfast from west Cork and Kerry. I formally invite the Taoiseach, or any representative he wishes to send, to travel with us on bus No. 10 to see first hand what these people endure to get their cataract surgery outside the State.

I congratulate the Deputy and his colleagues for organising a bus in this regard. This is a very impressive feat and well done to them on that.

People can avail of the cataract procedures under the EU directive. People are free to travel to any jurisdiction to avail of that healthcare or they can go to private hospitals within the State. This is covered under the EU healthcare directive. The waiting lists for cataract operations are improving and are getting better. There is a lot of emphasis being put by the HSE on upping the number of procedures that can be carried out each year. This will continue.

What is the Taoiseach's response?