James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

Last week "Prime Time" dedicated a programme to accident and emergency departments. It was very distressing to watch disorientated and seriously ill patients waiting for days on trolleys and chairs in cramped and overcrowded accident and emergency departments. In 2004, the Minister issued a ten point plan to sort out accident and emergency departments and in 2006, she said it would be treated as a national emergency.

At one point in January 2010, the number of people lying on trolleys in accident and emergency departments reached 500. As of yesterday, there were 236 people on trolleys. This is the middle of June with some of the finest weather we have had.

To make matters worse, elective surgery is being cancelled and-----

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