Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I take the Tánaiste's point that people do not want to see cystic fibrosis patients hanging around accident and emergency wards, but there have been repeated delays. As evidenced in this morning's debate on the national children's hospital, many people are getting fed up and angry with the situation.

On the cystic fibrosis unit, can the Tánaiste confirm to the Dáil - I note he did not confirm when I asked about the 34 beds - that when the new wing at St. Vincent's Hospital which has 100 beds is completed, 34 en suite bedrooms will be kept for cystic fibrosis patients? I want him to put this on the Dáil record. Is he aware that there are in the region of 340 cystic fibrosis patients who use St. Vincent's Hospital and the figure of 34 beds comes from 10% of those who use it fairly regularly. That is the important matter, if the Government can deliver on this. Does he understand the hurt and frustration experienced by these families when they hear the Ministers promising a reduction in waiting lists or special delivery units? Will the Tánaiste request the Minister to send in one of those special delivery units or, at least, turn St. Vincent's Hospital into a safe environment for cystic fibrosis patients?

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