Mr. John McCamley:

Anything that would deter someone from committing an assault would be good and positive, but what is needed is a proper, working security service within hospitals.

Proper training is also needed, as has been alluded to. A lot of staff, whether it be nurses, healthcare assistants or porters, do not get adequate training on how to de-escalate particular situations. Emergency departments have been mentioned. That is the pinnacle of these things, and it has a pinch point. However, out in the community we have lone workers, working in houses. We have mental health services. There are organisations that have people on their own in very isolated rural communities. They have no backup and there is no way of calling any help except ringing the Garda. That is it.