Mr. Bernard Gloster:

Unfortunately, it is an increasingly common feature to have a dependency on security personnel in emergency departments. That is the nature of things, because there are open front doors and people present at them. There is always a risk, regardless of someone's behaviour, that if you turn them away, do not let them in or put them out, you will have a different problem because you have not at that stage determined what their particular need might be. It is a difficult situation and one that, unfortunately, our staff experience due to the nature of their work. We have made improvements but I do not think we will get to the point of eradicating it.

To be fair, the Deputy has raised this matter with me several times. In every emergency department that I have visited, I always look at the layout, even in terms of the limitations of the space that might be available. I have been to Wexford, Naas, Limerick and Cork and have visited most emergency departments. They are all different and have different types of challenges, but there is no doubt that antisocial or unruly behaviour is a challenge for all emergency services, including ours. I would not be sparing with any of my hospital managers who tell me they need additional security. We have to protect the public and we have to protect our staff. We have very good relationships with the Garda in this regard. However, it is a challenge, and I am not going to take from the core concern that the Deputy is expressing.