Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak to the Private Member's motion on the crisis in the accident and emergency departments in our hospitals, the 45% increase in VHI premia and on the health service in general. It is a national scandal and a disgrace to have 569 patients on trolleys in our hospitals in January 2011. It is criminal to treat patients like this in this day and age. It is not acceptable and arises from gross incompetence.

After many years of growth and massive wealth and resources, I find it strange and unacceptable that there has been no real movement in the accident and emergency situation, which should be the major focus of this debate. The issue of beds is the bottom line and the Government has walked away from it. There is a shortage of beds. Let us quit the spin and face the reality that it is not acceptable to have elderly, sick or disabled people on trolleys in our hospitals. That is the reality for the 569 people to whom I referred, many of whom are senior citizens.

This crisis should have been dealt with many years ago and in any other country the Minister would have resigned. There was enough time in two years to resolve this priority health issue. The Government and Minister for Health and Children have been talking about this matter for ten years. How many more years does it need to resolve the issue?

Beaumont Hospital in my constituency is one of the largest hospitals which is directly affected and 80 to 100 bed would resolve the crisis there. To give any other response is to waste people's time talking about it. I demand that the extra beds are put in place immediately. People are sick and tired of waiting for a proper health service. It is now time to put up or shut up.

I believe in a universal health service, based on the equality for patients and medical need. It will have to be funded through taxation and I am prepared to support any party or body that believes in the principles of a good quality public health service. The current system needs to be changed and major reforms are needed for all of our patients.

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