Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 on a matter of extreme importance, namely, the plans to press ahead with the ending of 24 hour accident and emergency services in Ennis General Hospital. There is chaos at Limerick Regional Hospital this week where there is a large number of patients on trolleys, 28 on Monday morning, 17 on Tuesday and 21 yesterday. Limerick Regional Hospital will not be able to cope with the extra patients from Ennis and Nenagh. Talks have collapsed between the unions and the Health Service Executive. There is no agreement with GPs and we have no details of what additional resources will be made available to the ambulance service.

The Minister for Health and Children gave a commitment that 24-hour accident and emergency services would not be removed from Ennis if the resources were not in place. As the resources are not in place the Minister must immediately re-examine the decision to close 24-hour accident and emergency services in Ennis from Monday next.

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