We were all so affected by the "RTE Investigates" programme last night. The Minister for Health needs to direct the National Treatment Purchase Fund to obtain accurate and real figures for waiting lists. There are two waiting lists, one of which involves massaging the figures. Waiting lists are already shockingly high, with the number of scheduled procedures having risen from 50,000 in 2013 to 80,000 in 2016. The saddest point is that public patients are suffering most. Since Christmas, the number of patients on trolleys in corridors of hospitals has been the highest. The numbers waiting for appointments and procedures have rocketed. There is no accountability in the health system and no leadership. I heard the Minister say last night that this was unacceptable. It is unacceptable and not good enough.

Another urgent case the Minister is not addressing - I have asked that he appear in the House next week - concerns the unacceptably large number of cancer patients fighting for medical cards. A large number of cancer patients have been waiting for months while further information is sought. They need-----

That is not true.

I can provide the figures and statistics. All I can say is that it is unacceptable. We need to ensure the health service and the people will not suffer any more.

The nation was shocked by the harrowing stories exposed on the "RTE Investigates" programme last night. It is shocking and a shame that it takes a television programme for notice to be taken, rather than calling out these issues long in advance of the broadcasting of such programmes. Patricia Connolly told her story of how she was waiting for over a year for a gynaecological appointment in Cork. She is condemned to a life of pain on painkillers. She is one of at least 4,265 women, if not more, in Cork who are waiting for a gynaecological assessment. It is nothing new. I raised this matter with the Minister in September, but nothing has happened since. There are more women living in pain on the list. We need to know what needs to be done to resolve the issues in Cork. We need the Minister to ensure the doctors' four-point plan will be put in place. The four recommendations the doctors made to him some weeks ago are to employ additional gynaecology theatre staff to increase theatre capacity from 30% to 100%; to develop a gynaecology day unit; to build and staff the gynaecology one-stop shop which was part of the cancer plan in 2014; and to employ a minimum of four additional consultant gynaecologists.

To end the misery for women in Cork and the region, we need concrete action beyond the Minister's genuine emotion and warm words. I want to know what specific actions he will take. What is the timeframe for the taking of these actions? On 25 January, the last time the Minister addressed this matter in the Seanad, he told us he had requested a report from the HSE on both inpatient and outpatient waiting lists. Is the report ready? Will it address the practical issues in CUMH, which issues are the outliers? Can we see the report? The Minister said on the occasion in question that the situation was not acceptable. What does this actually mean for women waiting to receive the treatment they need? What action will the Minister take to provide a sustainable solution to build real capacity and not fund something that will just rely on the National Treatment Purchase Fund? In January he promised to meet the consultants and management in February to agree the actions and promises. Has a date been set? The consultants have sent their proposals to the Minister. It would take him just under 30 minutes to consider their practical proposals. I would like the Leader to bring the Minister to the House to answer these questions for all of those on the waiting lists.

I join those who have rightly referred to the "RTE Investigates" programme last night. It is quite shocking that we have figures such as those aired and that there are two sets of figures. The CEO of the HSE, Mr. Tony O'Brien, has many questions to answer in that regard. People want to hear more than statements of shock from us. The HSE is charged with delivering a health care service. There are children with scoliosis who need a timely intervention and surgery, but it does not seem to matter.

The list goes on and I know that the Minister has been deeply affected. However, we have seen this with Minister after Minister and need to get to the bottom of it. What is shocking and shameful needs to be pointed out. I support the suggestion that the Minister come back into the House. I raised a very important concern about how the health care groups were operating. I am reliably informed that, since they have been set up, there have been 122 new general manager grade A posts at St. Stephens Hospital central administration but that there are 120 consultant vacancies nationwide. We need front-line staff, but these new managers cost in excess of €100 million per year. What is going on? I raised this issue during statements on the health service and have not received any answer. I would like an answer because it is very peculiar that, with vacancies a problem in the health service, there is no problem in filling managerial posts centrally.