Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

At the outset I offer my sympathy to the family of Pat Joe Walsh, a man who could and should be alive today. I compliment Patients Together, Janet Byrne and her mother in particular for the excellent work they have done in highlighting the dire situation in the Mater Hospital over a sustained period.

Speaking on the first Private Members' motion this year, in January 2005, the Minister for Health and Children laid out her stall. She stated: "It is a fact that people judge our health services by their experience of accident and emergency units". The Minister's speech is peppered with references to the accident and emergency service and its importance in the health system. The Minister further stated:

I have stated that long waiting times at accident and emergency departments are not acceptable to me or the Government. . . .that is why we have given top priority at the Cabinet committee on health to improving accident and emergency services. This is why I have brought forward a fully-funded ten-point plan for accident and emergency services for this year.

We are bringing the greatest focus possible to improving accident and emergency services. Each factor that has caused delays in accident and emergency units is being addressed and each action is being implemented.

That was the tenor of the Minister's speech in January of this year. What has happened in the 12 months since the Minister's appointment?

See this speech in context