Figures recently published by the EU show that Ireland, together with Slovakia, have the joint lowest rates for operations to remove cataracts. Both countries perform an average of two cataract operations per 1,000 individuals each year. In total, 4.5 million cataract operations were performed in the EU. The Irish College of Ophthalmologists which represents more than 200 eye doctors, stated that there are not enough eye specialists employed in the Irish healthcare system. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae and I have been taking hundreds of people to Belfast in recent months. These are individuals who worked hard all their lives and who require access to an urgent, 15-minute procedure. They are being allowed to go blind by the State. Does the Taoiseach realise that those people from west Cork and Kerry are mainly in their 80s and 90s? How does he intend to stop the suffering of those people and resolve the crisis relating to the performance of cataract operations?

The proposed VAT increase on health food supplements is difficult for many who continue to do their best to look after their health. I refer to calcium and magnesium tablets and Eskimo fish oil for joints. The list is endless. Older people whose eyesight is affected by macular degeneration, for example, take a product called MacuShield, which is not available on the medical card and costs €25 for a month's supply. The increase in VAT will give rise to a €5.75 increase in price. It seems that there is not much support from the Government for those who wish to look after their health.

I wish to speak on the same issue. I call on the Taoiseach to reconsider the VAT increase on health supplements. When one thinks about the growing obesity level, in this country, it does not make sense that we charge 13.5% VAT on fast foods and that we are going to charge 23% for food supplements.

Decisions on the VAT rate are made by Revenue, they are not the responsibility of Government. We need to make a distinction between food supplements in respect of which health claims that are backed up by science are made and those that are backed up by pseudoscience. This is an issue we will be discussing a great deal more.

These ones are backed up by science.

What about folic acid?

What about fish oil?

Pregnant women require folic acid. I am not sure that will be affected by the increase.

Could we allow the Taoiseach to answer?

Never, a Cheann Comhairle. They are not interested in the answers. The Ceann Comhairle knows that as well as I do. I will check out the situation with folic acid but I repeat that the decision is made by Revenue, not the Government.

On cataracts-----

It appears that anything recommended by a doctor is affected.