James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

-----she would not have this situation in the Drogheda hospital, which is a hospital that has suffered from many disquieting scandals over the years.

After four years and four months - if the Government remains in office the Minister may be in office until 2012 - the Minister has become well known for plans for the future as a substitute for action today. I have no faith that 2012 will deliver either a sod, a bed or anything else for us in private. The Minister must acknowledge that this is a poor return for her tenure and in terms of adding additional beds, when there are 700 closed to date due to cutbacks.

What real action she the Minister take in terms of the quite considerable health budget available to her to bring about real change in the hospitals to increase our capacity. We are spending nearly €5,000 per man, woman and child in this country.

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