Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

When one is talking about accident and emergency services, it is obvious why the word "emergency" is used. It is not just today or yesterday that we have been addressing these issues in Cavan and Monaghan.

The Minister, Deputy Martin, said ten additional beds would come on stream immediately, but the new Minister tells us the board intends to commission ten additional day beds. There is more information being pulled in and pulled back, it is an incredible vista. In her reply, the Minister conspicuously avoids the part of my question which asks for a timescale for the delivery of these facilities. That is at the kernel of the whole matter. We simply do not know when services will be delivered. There has been a change of Ministers — we are delighted to see the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, is still here, taking the flak for those who should be in this Chamber addressing these issues directly — and the new Minister is getting off to a bad start by following the example of the Minister, Deputy Martin, in failing to come before the House for Private Members' business and answer the solid charges made by the Independent Deputies and those who support their motion. Whatever about the change of Ministers, there has been little change in terms of the need for vigilance by communities.

See this speech in context