Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Ó Caoláin is right about reform. I praise the excellent staff who carry out their duties, but some hospitals with more staff than those hospitals have problems. That is the reason reform is essential. We need reform such as a change in the length of the working day. The Deputy pointed out that sometimes people who come into hospital on a Monday do not get treatment until a Wednesday because the staff in the unit finish work at 4.30 p.m. This would not happen in any other area. How would industry work efficiently if people operating expensive equipment finished at 4.30 p.m.?

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