Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle and assure him I will extend the same courtesy to the Minister of State when his time comes to speak.

I am sure he and other Government speakers will have much to say on our proposals. I hope no Minister ends up in one of the proposed wet rooms. The measures we propose are necessary to tackle the effect of alcohol abuse on accident and emergency facilities. Nothing is being done in this regard and I hope the Minister of State will address this failing when he gets his opportunity to speak. Alcohol consumption has increased by 40% in the last ten years and the small minority who abuse alcohol has also increased in that period. The problematic effect of such persons' behaviour is evident every night in accident and emergency departments.

Some Government Members may claim wet rooms such as we propose are medically unsound but this would only be the case if they were poorly planned, executed and manned, failings evident in many health facilities as a consequence of Government policy. Fine Gael in Government would ensure such services are properly designed, operated and medically supervised. As it stands, many patients in accident and emergency departments must ask a relative to mind their trolley while they go to the bathroom. What is the Minister of State's view on this?

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