The programme for Government makes a commitment to regulate and monitor energy costs and in particular domestic energy costs. At around this time in 2017, seven out of the ten providers of electricity increased their charges. This year since 1 June, six out of ten have done so. Can the Taoiseach and the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment commit to carrying out a review of this situation in what seems to be an industry-wide cartel which does not serve the interests of the consumer?

I think with almost 20 electricity retail providers, I doubt there is a cartel. If the Deputy believes there is, I would encourage him immediately to make a complaint to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. The programme for Government commitment on the review of prices and the regulation of prices is being fulfilled by the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.

The Government is allocating massive sums of money to the HSE. Some of it is very well spent and some of it not being well spent at all. It is a known fact that when people who break their legs and get crutches seek to hand back the crutches, they will not be taken back. These crutches cost money.

Likewise with a patient who is in a wheelchair. The wheel on the wheelchair broke and he wanted his wheel to be repaired. Lo and behold he was told it could not be done but he was given a new wheelchair at a cost of more than €3,000. Is there any accountability for what is going on in the HSE? These items cost money. Many people I know asked if they could hand back their crutches and they could not be taken back. Is there any law and order at all?

I am not sure about the wheels on the wheelchair but I looked into the matter regarding crutches when I worked in the health service and what I was told - and this is the information I have - is the cost of examining the crutch and making sure it is safe for use by an additional person is greater than the cost of manufacture and there would be potential liability should a crutch be reused and not work. The cost of the potential claim apparently outweighs the cost of producing new ones because they can be produced quickly. The Deputy makes a serious and valid point. We now spend €16 billion a year on public healthcare in Ireland. It is one of the highest per head in the entire world. For 20 years now spending on public health in Ireland has been above the OECD average on a per capita basis. Taxpayers are not getting value for money and patients are not getting the service they deserve. It is something the Government and I will focus on in laser-like detail in the months ahead.