Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

——and of giving patients the best level of service. While there were ten HSE employees at grade 8 in 2000, there were 713 in 2007. I asked the Taoiseach what are the implications, in respect of the cutting of front-line services, on foot of an amended plan involving cuts of €900 million from this service? What are the implications for front-line services, the employment of nurses and doctors and patient care? The Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, appears to be the only person in Ireland who states that too many people are working in accident and emergency units nationwide. Last night, 400 people were obliged to lie on trolleys.

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