Pat Rabbitte

I think I do agree with her.

I don't think it denigrates the high-quality work of consultants in Irish hospitals.

But, I mean, they are a significant force and recognize themselves as being a significant force.

I mean, if the political spectrum from one end to the other has agreed after many years of debate –

that this is the way to go, well, then it seems to me that this is the way to go and that if the public mind is settled on that, that the consultants should come into line.

If you, of course, have already opted for the public-only contract, well, then you must operate the public-only contract.

You know, the language here, I suppose, we talk about battles, don't we?

You're talking about the media now, Ciara, not public health media, love that kind of battle.

Paul was very balanced and sympathetic in presenting the consultant's

point of view but i mean going back in irish health care and indeed on the neighboring island when nye bevan brought in the national health service in 1948 i mean he was opposed tooth and nail and he was asked well what do you what are you going to do about it and he said what are you going to do about the doctors he said well i will stuff their gobs with gold and

And that's more or less what he did to bring them on board, brought them on board in what was probably the most revolutionary change in democratic politics for a century.

We had our own experience here at the beginning of the 50s and so on.

So that, you know, I accept everything that has been said about the quality and motivation of the consultants here.

But they can't set themselves up as a political force against the minister, in my opinion.

The minister is right in saying that.

Louise is right in saying that it's difficult, for example, to move to five over seven working, you know, if the backup staffs aren't available.

And that's not...

simple but i mean we have poured unimaginable resources in recent years into health and i think the taxpayer and the citizen are entitled to a quality public health care system and you know obstruction for narrow interests oughtn't be acceptable

Well, it's obviously correct that the Gardaí should arrange their affairs to more effectively and most effectively tackle issues like cybercrime and the more modern-day threats that are listed in John Mooney's piece.

I mean, you would expect the Gardaí to arrange their affairs so that it is most effective.