Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

Yes, along the lines I suggested. All Ministers can hold on to the empires in their Departments. However, if one is lying on a hospital trolley, different considerations apply. If beds are available, they must be used. I encourage the Department of Health and Children to take up the use of St. Bricin's facilities. It will be more cost effective than the measures being taken to resolve the crisis in accident and emergency facilities.

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