Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

In recent weeks the Taoiseach has given the House some indication of the way the Government proposes to deal with the appalling conditions that apply in many accident and emergency units throughout the country. The Government's response has been to hide behind the ten-point plan published last November, which the Taoiseach has admitted will not make any serious inroads until next autumn. We have also seen the spectacle of a number of Ministers flying kites such as the use of St. Bricin's Hospital and other issues.

We learned today that Tallaght Hospital was forced to suspend elective surgery between 13 and 22 April because of serious overcrowding in the accident and emergency unit. Yesterday, there were 21 patients on trolleys in Tallaght, 22 in the Mater and 32 in Beaumont Hospital and Naas Hospital. Throughout the country yesterday there were 237 patients on trolleys. The latest proposal from Government and the Health Service Executive is to instruct all hospitals to add an extra bed to each ward to deal with this problem. It appears the Government is continuously trying to invent a policy on the hoof, so to speak.

First, if this is such a good idea, why was it not included in the ten-point plan last November? Second, will the Taoiseach indicate the status of the report from the Health and Safety Executive in respect of an instruction to hospitals to move patients from trolleys into additional beds to be placed in existing wards? Third, was that proposal discussed and agreed at a Cabinet committee as reported last week? Fourth, has any risk assessment been done in respect of this proposed move from a health and safety and infection control perspective? What is going on? Is anybody in charge in respect of this matter?

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