Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and his lot have sat around the Cabinet table for nine years and it was only yesterday that this became a national emergency in the eyes of the Tánaiste. On 12 October 2004, I asked the Tánaiste, Deputy Harney, what would be her political priorities upon taking office as Minister for Health and Children and she said:

One of the priority areas is accident and emergency units. It is unacceptable that people have to spend upwards of 12 hours on a trolley.

In 2006 this becomes a national emergency, the penny has dropped. The realisation is clear around the Cabinet table——

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