Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The first thing we must do is probe the facts to establish the position. It might be a good idea to ask the registrar concerned to come and tell us directly and probe the issue and statements he is making with the managements of the hospitals. We must establish the factual position. We can then set about resolving the issue. The outcome we want is to have is the highest level of service being available to the public. The Deputy mentioned beds. I understood beds in Loughlinstown hospital were to be used for elective cases which would, in turn, free up beds in St. Vincent's University Hospital and enable a throughput of patients through the accident and emergency service. The Deputy is aware that by the time the changes were made in Loughlinstown hospital, the numbers attending the accident and emergency ward at night were very small, because for some time if an accident occurred on the N11, for example, the patient was brought directly to St. Vincent's University Hospital. I would like to probe the facts to establish the position. We can do this and, if necessary, then ask the registrar who has written about these matters to come and give us the information he has available.

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