Harney defends Govt moves to reduce hospital waiting lists
Minister for Health Mary Harney has said no one should have to wait longer than five months for surgery or medical treatment.
Ms Harney was responding to Labour Party claims that more than 3,000 public patients have been on hospital waiting lists for more than a year.
The party says the figures are "shocking" and proof that the Government is spectacularly missing its targets.
However, Ms Harney says the National Treatment Purchase Fund is achieving its targets and if people are waiting longer than five months, it means they are either not coming forward for treatment or are not being referred to the fund by their doctors.
