Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

Does the Minister really believe the reasons given that the numbers have gone up again? Is she satisfied that the state of accident and emergency services does not amount to a national emergency similar to the one she indicated a relatively short time ago? The Minister gave very encouraging information about what is being done but can she equate the reality with what she just read out? Whether one goes by the Irish Nursing Organisation figures or the Health Service Executive figures, the number of people on trolleys is high. There were up to 400 people on trolleys on one day alone. The figures from the Irish Nursing Organisation tell us there was an increase of 89% in the number of people on trolleys in December 2007 compared to December 2006.

An ambulance driver who spoke on the radio this week said he has to sit around waiting for trolleys before he can move his ambulance away from the hospital because the trolleys are occupied in the accident and emergency units. A man in Wexford General Hospital in the constituency of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle stated on the radio that he waited from Thursday to Saturday to get a bed. While we heard something reassuring from the Minister, does she believe that is the reality and what will she do to ensure that the accident and emergency crisis is addressed?

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