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

Sometimes we make promises that cannot be kept but some of us try to make promises that can be kept and we try to adhere to that as a principle. The sooner we recognise that, the better for everybody concerned be it with regard to education, health or any other branch of the service. We appreciate public service.

The last point I want to make is a quick one. I do not usually do this. The Cathaoirleach knows that as well. I have had occasion to go into several hospitals in recent times with family members and so on. I have had adequate time to compare services in the private and public sector, the things that happen in accident and emergency, the distractions that are there and the abuse that takes place. I am not blaming the witnesses for this. This takes place. I cannot understand why it takes place and why people should have to work under these conditions. It should be a simple matter to say we do not want staff to be abused and we do not want other patients to be subject to the abuse that comes from a particular section that wants to invade accident and emergency departments to suit themselves at particular times. This is a large-scale phenomenon. It is not an isolated phenomenon. It does not happen in private hospitals. That is the difference.