Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

That organisation provides the health service in this country. Obviously, we must take into account the views of the HSE. We need additional beds. The capital programme this year is €500 million and next year it will be of the same order. Much of that money is providing better facilities and a large number of beds in different hospitals throughout the State. As it is probably unlikely we will get to the stage of providing all the required beds, we must continue to try to provide them. We need more beds. Our population has increased and the problems we have in accident and emergency units dictate that we need them.

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