Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

I would like to know what those opposite believe we should do about the future of primary care. What changes should we make in disease prevention, health promotion and patient safety? Do they believe we should leave these nursing homes, which HIQA wants to close, open? Do they believe we should leave elderly patients at risk? Do they believe we should abolish HIQA? What is their view on patient safety besides using it as cliché? They must show us what they are about.

What do they believe is the role of paramedics or rapid response ambulances? Do they believe we should be reactive and react after something happens, like when an accident and emergency department closes or do they believe we should be proactive and get these ambulances, with the appropriate paramedics, to parts of the country where they can make a difference, as per what the Minister discussed? They have nothing to offer on an issue such as that and have nothing to say about air ambulances or about upskilling GPs to work in accident and emergency, as is happening in Ennis hospital currently. They have nothing to say about upskilling GPs to deal with emergencies on the side of the road-----

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