Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Every winter we read headlines about the number of people spending many hours, or even days, on trolleys in the accident and emergency departments of our public hospitals. There is a myth that this is only a winter problem. Is the Taoiseach aware that the figures released yesterday by the Irish Nurses' Organisation show that some 202 people were on trolleys in A&E departments on the previous night throughout the State's hospital network? All of those 202 people were someone's child, brother or sister, parent or grandparent. The agony for all is obvious.

On 5 July 2005, this day 12 months ago, there were 232 people on trolleys according to the figures then applying. That is an improvement of 30 places but it is hardly something to trumpet given the fanfare that accompanied the announcement of the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children's ten-point plan to ensure an end to the accident and emergency crisis. What will the situation be like when it really becomes a crisis time of the year? If over 200 people are on trolleys today, what will it be like in November? Are we going to see record numbers of 500 plus on trolleys? What is the Taoiseach doing to address the problem now, rather than waiting until it becomes absolute bedlam?

The new treatment room that was established in Monaghan General Hospital remains closed and unresourced. Given the figures the Taoiseach mentioned earlier concerning a significantly greater tax take, why are we still waiting for the Department of Health and Children to resource this essential facility? That hospital has faced much turmoil and trauma in recent years.

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