Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to say a few words on this very important issue. Last week the Taoiseach assured us there were no people on trolleys in Monaghan General Hospital's accident and emergency section. He is correct. This is because for two and a half years, the Government allowed the hospital to be closed down completely for on-call purposes. It is now on-call for medical procedures but it is still unclear as to who should or should not go there. Certainly, patients who should be treated there are being brought past Monaghan hospital. I make no apologies for stating that. However, it has a so-called treatment room, which I understand will now be called a casualty room that was due to be opened in February. The last action of the previous Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, was to hold a press conference telling us of all the good work the Government did in Monaghan. That treatment room is still not open. In spite of the fact that the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children has €11 billion, the funds have not been made available to staff that treatment or casualty room.

Only this week at an inquest, the coroner stated clearly that it was possible the failure to open the treatment room for a patient from just outside Monaghan town could have been the cause of his death. Moreover, a good friend of mine lived at the bottom of the hill beside Monaghan hospital. As entry to the hospital by ambulance was not allowed, he was taken to Cavan and he died on the way there. The Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children spoke here about real life crises. I want to ensure that whatever Government is in power, the services to which local people are entitled are available to them within the hour. I would be equally critical if the Minister was from my own party. Yesterday, it was stated clearly in the coroner's inquest that whatever chance Mr. Courtney might have had if he been seen to immediately, he had no chance when he went to Dundalk.

When people get into Monaghan General Hospital, they receive a tremendous service. We wish to ensure that the resources are provided and the commitments given are fulfilled. There is no point in having fancy press conferences and making statements if, when one asks a question, one is informed that the politician is not responsible but that the Health Service Executive is responsible. I am delighted the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children had joined us in the House, because it is vital that we no longer pass the buck. We should take a hands-on approach. I know that the Minister cannot be everywhere at the same time. There is no point in stating that responsibility rests with the staff or management of Monaghan General, Cavan General or the Health Service Executive. If the staff are wrong at any level, they must be held accountable just as if they worked in Dunnes Stores or anywhere else. We should not retain people who are incompetent and are unable to fully utilise the available services.

Thanks to the Ceann Comhairle, I will speak about Monaghan General Hospital on the Adjournment. On the motion before us, the staff in accident and emergency units do an extraordinarily good job. They deal with a very difficult situation. If one takes Cavan General Hospital, which has suffered because of the——

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