James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

That is why I am making this statement here. I can inform the Deputy that anybody who has been on "Prime Time" on a one-on-one interview knows that one will be asked the difficult questions and one must be able to answer them. In so far as I can with the information available, I answered the questions. I do not run away from that responsibility.

As I stated, I am not satisfied that we have total clarity. I stated that approvals would recommence, and they will. Delayed discharge is of considerable concern to me and to many people. Apart from the discomfort it causes families and the worry and concern about the whereabouts in which their loved one might find themselves, it is equally unkind to patients who must lie in those bed, often not getting ancillary services that would make their quality of life better.

To answer Deputy Ó Caoláin's question and the one raised by Deputy Boyd Barrett-----

See this speech in context