Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It was pointed out that some hospitals, while they have no delayed discharges, still have queues. Of course they do, because there is a patient in every bed. It is merely that these are not delayed discharges. They are there for a reason but they are not considered delayed discharges. The hospitals are at capacity. They operate beyond capacity and it is no wonder these issues arise from time to time. Let us accept it is a resourcing issue and a priority issue.

Finally - this is not a criticism - the front-line staff have stated consistently that patient safety is being compromised and they stood outside the gate yesterday to highlight that. Consultants, nurses and other health professionals have been saying this consistently, and it is time we collectively addressed what they have been raising, not on their behalf but on behalf of those whom they professionally want to help on a daily basis.