Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this important debate. I am always pleased to compliment the colleagues who bring forward a motion, in this case, Deputy Reilly of Fine Gael. However, having listened to the Labour Party contributions tonight I wonder whether I am in the company of the next Minister for Health and Children. If that is the case I wish that person well.

Unlike Deputy Collins, I know very little about the condition of the health service in Limerick. However, I know a lot about Dublin, which is where I was born and live, and the area I represent. The increase in VHI charges have not gone down well in my city and county. Many of us on this side of the House have sympathy with the view - and I compliment the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, on making that point - that these increases should at least have been postponed.

I have a particular interest in my local hospital in Tallaght. I live close to it, am a regular visitor, have been a patient there and have been involved in it in various ways for some years, including as a member of the management board. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle was kind enough to assist my involvement in that regard, which I will always appreciate, although I promise not to put it in a leaflet this time. It is important to have local representation. I recall that as Minister for Health and Children, the Leas-Cheann Comhairle appointed people to hospital boards who had an interest in and credibility among the local community. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case in some instances.

I visited Tallaght hospital some days ago to assess the situation in the accident and emergency department. Media reports in recent days have revealed a scandal at the hospital where the 46-bed Burkett ward was being used as a canteen. I have no problem with the provision of canteen facilities for staff but it should not be at the expense of patient facilities and resources. When I was in the hospital on Monday afternoon 46 people were on trolleys, some of them in very difficult circumstances. I understand that today, as of 20 minutes ago, 30 people are on trolleys in the accident and emergency unit and 22 are on trolleys in the former canteen. I compliment the Minister for Health and Children on her intervention in this regard. I brought the situation to her attention, as I am sure did other colleagues. Arising from that, as I understand, the Health Service Executive instructed the hospital this morning and, as we speak, the reversion of that facility to a working ward is under way.

Deputy Collins made a relevant point about the pressures on the health service. I will not politicise the issue other than to say I would love to be a fly on the wall at the negotiations between the Labour Party and Fine Gael after the election. I wish them well in that regard but they will have many problems in fusing their respective health policies. Although I do not know where I will be in a year, I will be the first to step up and congratulate them if they achieve that. I would love to be in this House in a year's time asking colleagues in those parties to account for what they have achieved.

I am not a VHI customer and I hope my current good health, which means I hardly need health care, continues. However, I have spoken to many VHI customers who, when they are sent a copy of the bill for their treatment, are appalled at the costs involved. There is a role to be played by the Committee of Public Accounts, which does tremendous work, in this regard. I am sorry to hear that the Chairman, Deputy Allen, will not stand at the next election. The committee would have a good job of work to do in examining the issue of cost claims at VHI. I hope the Minister will give consideration to that proposal.

See this speech in context