Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I referred to the Health and Safety Authority in response to Deputy Kenny's question as to whether the authority was involved with the HSE in ensuring the executive's initiatives were in line with its requirements. The process is underway. I am told the HSA has acknowledged that hospitals are fully engaged in a process of addressing health and safety requirements in accident and emergency units.

We were told last week at a meeting attended by most of its executive team that the Health Service Executive was examining on a case-by-case basis hospitals with beds which were not open or which could be used to alleviate accident and emergency and other problems. The team went through a range of initiatives at different hospitals to tackle their different problems. The executive is working on the ground to find resolutions to the problems. Bed managers and other hospital staff have engaged last week and this week directly with those problems. Mr. Doran of the Irish Nurses Organisation has written to me in the last few days to provide records of beds the organisation believes could be opened. I passed the information to the Tánaiste and the Department of Health and Children and it will be examined.

Deputy Kenny was correct to indicate that a significant cause of major difficulties at accident and emergency units is alcohol. It is estimated by the experts in the field that between 25% and 35% of patients presenting are under the influence, which proportion rises to 75% during the peak hours of Saturday night and Sunday morning. I am not in a position to correct the figure, but the experts say alcohol is the key issue at accident and emergency units at peak hours. If it is anywhere between 25% and 75%, they are right. Short-term patients present with injuries directly related to the fact that they are heavily under the influence of alcohol which creates a problem. I do not suggest it is the only issue facing accident and emergency services as there are obviously problems at other times.

Alcohol abuse is a problem which cannot be addressed solely at accident and emergency level as it is a problem for society as a whole. Many initiatives have been put forward by many groups, including the task force on alcohol. I met the task force recently to discuss the 77 recommendations it has put forward, all of which are worthy of being acted on. It is no use to say the matter can be easily resolved, because it involves problems of society.

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