Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I did not ask the Taoiseach about the report of the Health and Safety Authority, but will do so now. According to the report, wards, exits from wards and fire escapes were blocked with trolleys and other equipment in a number of cases. The report also stated that, in the context of overcrowding, consultations should take place in every case in which extra bed capacity was to be allocated to a ward. Is that being done in every such instance?

Will the Taoiseach comment on today's claim by the Irish Nurses Organisation that there are hundreds of empty beds nationally which could be utilised, of which approximately 150 are in Dublin alone, without adding to the pressure on existing wards? Is the Taoiseach happy that full use is being made of existing bed capacity, without adding to the risk of infection or compromising health and safety, by moving beds into existing wards?

I understand that approximately 25% of those who attend accident and emergency units at weekends are intoxicated or drunk out of their minds and oftentimes accompanied by hangers on. What is the Government response to such circumstances which arise every weekend?

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