Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

It is absolute rubbish to say there will be no compromise. We held this exercise last week as well. I asked a straight question about what hospitals will not be safely staffed. The Taoiseach did not answer the question. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation stated today that 329 citizens are on trolleys in hospitals throughout the State. This is before the crisis kicks in. The fact is there are people out there. As a health professional the Minister, Deputy Reilly, should have known this before he took up his position as Minister. He was briefed and I have before me the redacted freedom of information request and his briefing. One the first day he came in as Minister he was told about this crisis. Approximately 150 of these doctor positions were substantially vacant and now it has risen to 400. The question was about which hospitals will not be safely staffed. People need to know. I have other questions.

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