Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)

I commend Deputy Twomey for tabling this very important motion on developments in accident and emergency services. These have been discussed at length, mostly in respect of delays and the consequent difficulties, such as patients having to lie on trolleys in corridors.

We must ensure the protection of patients and staff who suffer from abuse in accident and emergency units, especially in the evenings at weekends. This problem has been mentioned but its extent has not been highlighted. The arrangements for protecting staff have been proven to be inadequate. The staff, who expect protection, are serving the extremely vulnerable. A very delicate procedure applies in the case of ill people being admitted to hospital. They are under considerable stress owing to their circumstances.

A survey indicates that 80% of staff in accident and emergency units stated they had been verbally abused at some stage. This is extremely worrying and should be dealt with as a matter of urgency. The suggestions in the motion before the House should be considered seriously and introduced by the Government.

While there is an avenue to express concerns for the safety of hospital staff, there is no official avenue for expressing concern over the safety of patients. I know what it is like for somebody who is seriously ill and awaiting assistance to have disorderly and often drunk people in their vicinity. One feels for the safety of patients in such circumstances.

The motion proposes that special wet rooms be introduced for people who are deemed drunk following a medical assessment. Some will argue such people should not be tolerated or admitted to hospital at all, but I appreciate the Minister could not agree to this. He must be concerned for the safety and health of all people as they seek admittance to hospital, regardless of their condition or the abuse to which they subject themselves or others. The argument that drunks should not be admitted obviously cannot hold.

We must take into account the suggestion that extra gardaí should be available in accident and emergency wards, especially during the high-risk periods. The issuing of on-the-spot fines for public order offences committed in and around accident and emergency units may act as a deterrent. People who abuse themselves and others often offend repeatedly and present themselves at accident and emergency units on several occasions over a period. They should be made aware that they will be dealt with differently and that their behaviour has consequences.

As I stated, a survey showed that 80% of staff in accident and emergency units were verbally abused. Some 56%, more than half, stated they were subject to threatening verbal abuse. Some 80% of nurses stated they were sexually harassed. This is intolerable and a programme should be introduced to deal with it. My colleague Deputy Twomey outlined such a programme.

The aforementioned problem highlights the difficulty faced by the State, perhaps because of its affluence, as a result of the abuse of alcohol, especially by young people at places of entertainment during weekends. It must be stated, however, that the majority of young people are extremely well-behaved, extremely responsible and would never dream of engaging in disorderly behaviour. Unfortunately, there is a minority with which we must deal.

The report of the task force on alcohol consumption indicated that the increase in consumption is directly related to the incidence of accidents, unprotected sex and chronic illness. The problems the report stresses affect people right across the community. It is stated that alcohol was a factor in one in four visits to accident and emergency departments and 97% of public order offences.

The report cites a study of seven European countries that indicates that Ireland has the highest level of binge drinking, with 58% of drinking occasions ending up in binge drinking among men, and 30% among women. Alcohol-related mortality has increased in line with the increases in alcohol consumption, particularly alcohol-specific chronic conditions such as dependency, abuse and psychosis, and acute conditions such as alcohol poisoning. Nearly €6 billion of personal income is spent on alcohol in Ireland each year. Alcohol is the third most detrimental risk factor for European ill health and premature death, after only tobacco and high blood pressure.

Alcohol abuse, therefore, is a very serious issue. While we highlight it, we do not seem to be able to tackle it properly. I do not know if there is sufficient commitment. I examined the reports and campaigns of the Department over the past three or four years and noted that they do not seem to have any effect. Is the Department evaluating the success of its campaigns? I have raised the link between alcohol and suicide on numerous occasions.

Today I tried to raise the need for the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursements Board to fund suicide prevention programmes and tried to draw attention to a report on this subject, but unfortunately I was not allowed to do so. The Chair was unfair in this regard and the latitude I expected was denied to me.

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