I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister of Health come to the House today to deal with an urgent problem. It was urgent when the Members of this and the other House were elected three years ago and the issue remains unresolved, unmitigated, unpalliated and just as urgent as it was then. It concerns the scandalous state of waiting lists for public patients. I will not use any word that could seem judgmental, but it is now apparent that, collectively, we were, as a society and spectators of the health service, at least misinformed about the true trajectory of what was happening with waiting lists for several years. It appears that a number of "redefinitions" of what constituted waiting lists, particularly long-term waiting lists, were used. To put it politely, the net effect was to make the figures somewhat better than they had been.

In January I brought to the attention of the Oireachtas an internal document that had been brought to my attention on the standard operating procedure, SOP, for scheduling outpatient appointments requested by a general practitioner, GP. It was apparent to me at that stage that within the SOP there was an opportunity to engage in substantial obfuscation of the truth of the waiting list problem by counting those on the waiting lists, not from the time at which the GP applied for a clinic appointment but from the time at which an official made a request for a particular date. There is a waiting time built into the process before a patient is given a date. Although I was not aware of it, an extraordinary example has been reported in the past couple of days. Approximately one year ago waiting lists appeared to drop by 90% in one month and then rise again to where they had been some time afterwards. There was either an extraordinary epidemic of a very short-lived disease or else there was a major change in the accounting practices used.

This Government was elected on the two big promises of fixing politics and fixing the health service. The report card is not great on either one. As I indicated, I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to allow the Minister to come to the House to tell us how he will address the waiting list issue.

The House should acknowledge the wonderful achievement of an Irish-American, Dr. John O'Keefe, who won the Nobel Prize for medicine. He belongs to a select group of people in the world of biomedicine and science. He is a first generation Irish emigrant, as his parents are from Cork. We should acknowledge this through correspondence or otherwise.

Senator Sean D. Barrett has raised this issue before, but I am very concerned about the fall of Irish universities in international league tables.

This is not a mystery; it is happening for a reason.

Senator Mark Daly started where Senator John Crown had finished on the lack of transparency in the HSE. He also made serious charges about consultants operating on patients without having their files. That issue should certainly be examined. As has been pointed out, the Senator's current party leader set up the HSE. Until 2012, no data were available for outpatient appointments which were totally unmeasured. The previous Government preferred to live in denial of its failure to address the matter and patients suffered as a consequence. The Government is putting patients at the centre of its reforms. It established the special delivery unit and, as a result, we have a clearer picture of the numbers waiting and how long people are waiting. The numbers and lengths of time involved are unacceptable and must be tackled. That is exactly what is being done.

As regards manipulation of waiting list figures, as suggested by the Senator, the HSE has stated clearly that it has no knowledge of any memo that allegedly urges employees to do this. HSE policy is clear. All hospital managers are expected to efficiently manage waiting lists in chronological order, except where clinical need dictates that a patient needs to be prioritised. So far this year, the HSE has seen, diagnosed or treated 5% more patients at outpatient clinics than last year. It has also seen referrals to clinics increase by more than 10%. While huge progress is being made, there is more demand than supply for its services.

A lot done, more to do.

On the removal of patients from waiting lists, patients can be removed under the HSE's waiting list validation protocol. GPs and consultants are informed if patients have been removed from the lists and, if a GP or consultant considers a patient should be reinstated, this is done.

In 2013 a total of 500,000 did not attend for outpatient visits. The estimated cost of each unused slot is in the region of €200 or €300, depending on the specialty concerned. This accounts for the time of nurses and doctors, as well as the preparation and administrative time in advance of a visit. It is a serious point. Let us think of all the patients who could be seen in these slots.

The HSE is working to reduce waiting lists. Availability, reminders and clinical need for an appointment after waiting a period of time dictate the need for validation and verification of waiting lists. Some 500,000 people not attending to fill the slots given to them is a major problem which must be addressed. There should be a nationwide campaign and information on it. People should be reminded that if they do not intend to fill their slots, they should notify the consultant and the hospital well in advance to allow them to give the slots to others. This issue should be addressed urgently.

Senator Ivana Bacik referred to objective and transparent appointments to State boards and the many reforms the Government had introduced in the past few years.

She also called for a debate on the democratic reform process. I will ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Brendan Howlin, to come to the House to address the matter.

Senator Marie-Louise O'Donnell and several other Senators commented on the banks choking the system for mortgage lending and through a lack of credit for businesses. She suggested there was a need for a further debate on banking. We have had several debates on the issue, but it is perhaps six to eight months since we last debated it. I will, therefore, try to arrange a further debate on it.

Senator Pat O'Neill commented on the European Commission and suggested we invite various European Commissioners to address the House.

Senator Thomas Byrne raised an issue that had been raised on several occasions last week and the previous week, that is, the increase in registration fees for nurses. Perhaps he might table an Adjournment matter to discuss it.

As I look around the Chamber, I am replying to Members as much as I can. I am trying to skip those Members who are not here but who did ask questions. Clearly, I may miss out on some of them.

Senator Sean D. Barrett raised the question of the Central Bank's position on requiring a 20% deposit and limiting loans to a maximum of three and a half times total income. He mentioned that this issue had been raised in the House several years ago. Senator Marc MacSharry disagrees with the Senator on requiring a 20% deposit and takes the view that it should not be introduced.

Senator Marie Moloney made several points about the banks, as well as raising the possibility of the reintroduction of grants for first-time buyers. We will have to wait for the budget next week to see if anything will be announced in that regard.

Senator Sean D. Barrett condemned the attacks on Orange Order halls, which were despicable. All right-thinking people will agree that they are absolutely outrageous and an attempt to raise tensions within both communities in Northern Ireland.

Senator Jim D'Arcy commented on the issue of safety on farms and outlined that there had been 25 fatalities. This matter was raised last week by Senator Martin Conway who requested that the Seanad Public Consultation Committee consider it when it next met. I have written to the Leas-Chathaoirelach to ask that we have it as a matter to be discussed by the committee.

Senator Terry Leyden commented on the issue of petrol stretching. The matter has been raised in the House on at least four or five occasions in recent weeks. It is an outrageous practice. The Senator referred to the fact that good quality diesel or petrol for sale notices should be put up by reputable garages.

They are reluctant to do so.

What is preventing the rogues from putting up something similar?

Senator Hildegarde Naughton spoke about the new procedures outlined and the reform of Government grants. I imagine the matter can be addressed in the debate we will have on democratic reforms.

Senator Michael Mullins remarked on EU anti-trafficking laws and the criminalising of prostitution. This issue could be included in the sexual offences Bill to be brought forward. I will certainly raise it with the Minister.

Senator Lorraine Higgins commented on unscrupulous moneylenders. I gather she is referring to licensed moneylenders and the need to clean up the system. She called for a debate on the matter. It could probably be taken in conjunction with the issue of banking, on which we will try to arrange a debate.

Senator Michael Mullins also requested a debate on banking. With Senator Paul Coghlan, he raised the question of mental health and referred to a letter which they and many other colleagues in the House had received from Mr. Liam Brazil, a councillor in County Waterford, where I live. At the request of Senator John Gilroy who raised the matter last week, I have already asked that the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, come to the House to engage in a debate on mental health issues. I am in a position to confirm that she will be here on 11 November.

Senator Terry Brennan welcomed the establishment of the British-Irish visa scheme and outlined the benefits that might accrue from it in the context of tourism and business.

Senator Paschal Mooney referred to sports capital programme funding. I am sure the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Michael Ring, will provide details of the new programme when it is being introduced.

The question of e-mail scams, etc., has been raised by Senator Paul Coghlan and others on a number of occasions. The point that the public should be aware of what is involved in such scams is extremely valid.

On the question of the banks and customer service, the banks are probably more interested in utilising machines than in having people visit branches and deal with staff, which is unfortunate.

Members should telephone Bank of Ireland's customer service number and see how they get on.

They are all the same.

Senator Martin Conway referred to positive news about Shannon Airport and the fact that its becoming independent had certainly proved to be a game changer, despite the warnings issued by Opposition speakers at the time.

Senator Colm Burke was another who referred to Internet and e-mail scams. He also requested a review of the position on Irish Water and the legal problems which might arise from the appointment of contractors.

Senator John Crown referred to waiting lists, a matter I have addressed. He also complimented Dr. John O'Keefe, winner of the Nobel Prize. I am sure everyone will join the Senator in congratulating Dr. O'Keefe on his award. However, I do not propose to accept the Senator's proposed amendment to the Order of Business.

Senator John Crown has proposed an amendment to the Order of Business: "That a debate with the Minister for Health on his plans to address the waiting lists for public patients in the health service be taken today." However, as the amendment was not seconded, it consequently falls.