Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Dáil did not sit earlier this week on account of the death of former President, Dr. Patrick Hillery. Last week I raised a question here with the Taoiseach about the elderly in a certain hospital in Dublin. I noted the comments of the Chairman of the Joint Committee on Health and Children, Deputy John Moloney, who said in the context of that question versus stamp duty, the question of the elderly was less relevant.

I beg the indulgence of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle to permit me to say to the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance that it is a national scandal that a 76 year old woman with Alzheimer's disease who suffered a heart attack has been on a trolley in the Mater Hospital since Monday. This is an appalling situation. We are spending €15 billion on health, which is under the purse strings of the Minister for Finance. The recruitment embargo which prevents specialists being recruited and appointed will result in a disastrous situation sooner rather than later.

It is two years since the absent Minister for Health and Children said that the accident and emergency units around the country were a "national disgrace". I accept what the Tánaiste says, that he is a man who wants results and that health is his priority, but this is a national scandal. I beg the Chair's indulgence to ask the Tánaiste to apologise to the family involved on behalf of the Government and send out the Minister for Health and Children to do something about this situation this morning.

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