In response to Senator Máire Devine, it is the season of goodwill.

Be good.

I am trying. Senator Máire Devine referenced the HSE's national service plan, but I remind her of a couple of good news stories that she might share with her friends and constituents. She needs to hear them, rather than only about the doom and gloom. It is an important point.

The Leader should not be getting at me about the doom and gloom. I am in opposition and meant to point to the failures.

The Senator is in opposition, but it should not be opposition for the sake of it.

No. When it comes to the chaos, the Leader should face reality.

The HSE's national service plan-----

I must remind the Leader that it is also Christmas time.

He kept picking on me.

I want to give the Senator the good news, just in case she thinks Scrooge is here. The HSE's national service plan reflects a 3.4% increase. There is €458.6 million more in funding.

There has been an acknowledgement that it is not enough.

There is €958.6 million or 7.4% more than the budget for 2016. It is the third year in succession that there is a significant increase in the allocation for the HSE. It has been allocated €13.9 billion for expenditure on health services in 2017.

The HSE's national service plan is about bringing people-----

The Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, has already acknowledged that it is not enough.

It is about increasing the level of service and development. I think the Senator will join me in welcoming, rather than condemning, the increased allocation.

I welcome it, but it is not enough.