Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The Taoiseach did not answer my questions in his response. The electorate will not be convinced that the Taoiseach has addressed the serious matters raised by Deputy Kenny and me in a satisfactory manner. How does the Taoiseach respond to the pathetic excuse offered by the Minister for Health and Children last Monday? She said that the issue of nursing home charges was to blame for her failure to deliver on the ten-point plan she has proposed for dealing with the crisis in accident and emergency departments. Is the Taoiseach aware that the fire service in Dublin has indicated that the crisis in accident and emergency units is affecting its ability to respond to emergencies because fire brigade crews have to queue with patients after being called to attend to various problems? If fire fighters are stuck in long queues, they will not be available to respond to other emergencies which arise. What is the Taoiseach doing to address this very serious matter?

What does the Taoiseach have to say to nurses who have pointed out that the employment ceilings imposed on the health services are preventing the recruitment of additional staff to ease the crisis in our accident and emergency departments? Is it true that the moneys which are being allocated to implement the Tánaiste's ten-point plan are being taken from the original financial allocation made to each hospital? The redistribution of such moneys will result in other cutbacks in 2005. It is time for the Taoiseach to respond.

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