John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

Almost 500 people are lying on trolleys in appalling conditions in what is, according to the Government, one of the wealthiest countries in the world. On taking office as Minister for Health and Children, the Tánaiste told us she would deal with the crisis in accident and emergency services and, as the previous speaker noted, stated this would be the litmus test of her tenure in office. She established the Health Service Executive to deal with the accident and emergency crisis but it has worsened. She also stated she wanted to deliver a world-class health system. The position in hospitals throughout the country shows that the health system, far from being world-class, is worse than that of a Third World country. It is appalling.

When will the Tánaiste recognise that the problem is one of capacity? The experts have told us that more acute and community care beds are needed but the Tánaiste has not delivered on her promises in this regard. It is time she delivered although I do not believe she will be able to do so before the next general election. The electorate will have to judge her on her handling of the accident and emergency crisis, an issue on which she has lost the plot and is out of her depth. I hope that instead of establishing another task force she will inform the House of her proposals to deliver extra beds.

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