James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

It will not be half. First, the numbers of people who attend after 8 p.m. are quite small. Second, most of the patients can still be catered for in a minor injuries or urgent care centre. Only cases involving serious multiple trauma, undifferentiated chest pains and acute abdomen pains end up going to St. Vincent's. Consequently, the numbers will be nothing like those which the Deputy suggests. I will publish the framework document and as a public representative, the Deputy will have an input into the draft. He will not have a veto on it - no one will - but people have a right to be informed, to have a consultation process and to be allowed to make an input into the document. This will happen and already has been outlined. The process has been a little slower than had been anticipated but it is better to be a little slower and to have agreement and to get it right than to rush in and to have regrets.

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