Annie Hoey (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I was scrolling through the remnants of Twitter earlier on my way here and I noted how many parents were talking about their concern about strep A and many different matters. People were talking about being in accident and emergency departments for ten hours and the algorithm promptly brought up underneath it, a message from the Chief Medical Officer, CMO, telling parents that if they are concerned about a child, they should bring them to seek medical attention. Are the witnesses concerned about the system? We have all of these things happening at once. Is there concern about the potential for parents' concern about strep? They must get medical attention if they are worried their child has a dangerous illness. Are the witnesses worried about that having an impact on the system this year and potentially knocking plans or has a potential surge coming into our emergency services been factored into the winter plan?