Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will take the reply in writing. I was on the road at 7 a.m. this morning, in the frost, and I do not intend to go home without saying my piece. I will conclude by saying simply that I will avail of the replies by written means if necessary. I have two other questions. The first concerns the degree to which the service can avail of extra staff in the event of further emergencies. Deputy Colm Burke made reference to it already. Are they there, are they available, have they offered their services and are they awaiting inclusion?

Second and last, in the event of there being a further surge upon a surge, do the services have available to them the necessary beds to meet that surge? In other words, outside the private hospital system, is it possible to set up field hospitals and so on and are we prepared for that in the event of it being necessary? I thank the Chairman and apologise for coming in late. It was not my fault but the fault of technology. I am sure it was not his fault either but the fact that I sat here for the entire duration does not mean I have nothing to say.