Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

On the question on confidence, the HSE is a new organisation and it is not perfect. It is the largest in the country and employs one third of all staff in the public sector. Many of the staff who work in the hospital sector work in voluntary hospitals that are not owned or controlled by the State. I accept they would not be able to function without the resources of the State.

A report on one particular hospital in Dublin, in which the HSE conducted a study, identified that 65 acute beds could be freed up, at no extra cost, if the hospital changed the way in which it went about its business. That is the kind of approach I support.

Deputy McCormack should note that there are 2,600 staff in Galway hospital and they comprise a considerable resource.

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