Kenny defends HSE comments
The Taoiseach made the comments in the Dáil when defending Health Minister James Reilly, against whom Fianna Fáil had tabled a no-confidence motion.
Mr Kenny said it was “a bit rich” for Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin to be criticising Dr Reilly considering it was Fianna Fáil which created the “monster” that was the HSE.
The Taoiseach urged Mr Martin to visit a company called Homecare Medical Supplies in Mayo “to look at the consequence of what his government created”.
Mr Kenny said the company had a warehouse full of medical equipment that was being left in storage because of HSE bureaucracy.
Fianna Fáil subsequently suggested Mr Kenny had misled the Dáil.
However, Mr Kenny defended his comments.
“I visited this company [on Monday]. On a county-by-county basis, its warehouse is full of equipment that is ready to use. There are people across the country waiting for beds and wheelchairs who cannot get them while this warehouse is full of such equipment.
“The reason for that is the structure that was set up in the beginning was on a county basis so a person from Carlow looking for a bed cannot have a bed from the warehouse if it is not in the Carlow section. That is the most stupid bureaucratic administration I have ever come across.”
The company could not be reached for comment.
