Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Yesterday evening I invited the Taoiseach to visit Beaumont Hospital, which is in a state of crisis. The Taoiseach declined to take up that offer but I went out myself. In the accident and emergency unit last night, it was perfectly obvious that porters, nurses, doctors and consultants are doing everything they can to make life somewhat comfortable for patients. There were approximately 50 patients in the accident and emergency unit. All cubicles were filled, on both sides of that unit. All of those patients were assessed for admission and all were too sick to go home, but no beds were available in the hospital.

The first problem the Taoiseach does not seem to appreciate is that there is a problem in north Dublin as far as long-stay beds are concerned. There are between 80 and 100 people in that hospital who should be in long-stay beds elsewhere. The only commitment that has been broken here has been by his Government.

I know what is wrong out there, I know the solution to the problem and I know what the Taoiseach could do about it, but he does not seem to want to do it. The solution, which the Taoiseach appreciates, is that he must deal with the issue of long-stay beds. Since Leas Cross and Sutton were taken out of commission, they are down by 140 beds. The Government made two specific commitments. The first was to provide a medical admissions unit at Beaumont Hospital. It has not happened. Second, his Government, in a state of national emergency, said it would provide 100 beds at St. Joseph's in Raheny and 200 beds in St. Mary's in the Phoenix Park. The Government has not provided them. This problem will continue in Beaumont Hospital until that aspect is addressed.

Will the Taoiseach take responsibility for this because those who are supposed to have responsibility for it are doing very little about it? Those beds have not appeared, and will not appear, and this problem will continue until he sorts it out.

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