Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

Is the Minister disputing the figures that 44% of patients must wait 12 hours or more in accident and emergency departments to get into hospital? This is the figure published from a report given to the HSE and the target is 12 hours.

I refer to what the Minister said shortly after she became Minister for Health and Children:

I expect real and measurable improvements to take place in the coming months in the delivery of A and E services. A and E is the litmus test for me, for the Government and for the people of this country.

In view of those figures and of the stories in the media, is the Minister passing this litmus test? I met a man a short time ago who told me that he was in the accident and emergency department in the Mater hospital recently and he described it as being like a scene from the Crimean War. We have constant descriptions of what is happening in accident and emergency departments. Statistics were published in the newspapers last week from official figures given to the HSE.

Has the Minister given away her power? Is this something she wishes to be measured by? Has she any control as Minister over this situation? Can she do anything about it or is she a powerless Minister who has given the power to the HSE and who has stated she wants something done about accident and emergency departments? The HSE has stated it may cut accident and emergency services as one of the cutbacks.

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