Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

We have a difficulty in A&E units in some hospitals. However, daily throughout the country successful operations and procedures are carried out and people get medical and surgical treatment to help them back to full health. The picture the Deputy is trying to paint of 1 million people failing to get excellent care is wrong. It is sad that he paints that picture. At this very hour, people are being treated in hospitals throughout the country.

The Deputy should take into account that hospitals such as in Kilkenny and Waterford, which have fewer staff than the hospitals referred to by him, carry out the services more efficiently.

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