Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will not take lectures from anybody. The question I asked related to the capacity that exists in the western region, the south east and the south, in places like Tralee, Mallow, Cork and Galway, particularly in regard to ambulance services. If these services come from peripheral areas, such as north Clare or west Limerick, could they use capacity in other areas? In other words, rather than sending an ambulance into Dooradoyle where the accident and emergency unit is already full, could capacity in Tralee, Mallow, Cork or Galway be used? The south east of Limerick, for example, is within striking distance of Clonmel. We have an immediate problem, but rather than looking at fixed geographical boundaries, we should consider looking at measures outside those boundaries.

I welcome the commitment in regard to a model 3 hospital. The visit referred to in the report was an announced visit, but it needs to be followed up by a similar unannounced visit. We must ensure two things. We must ensure patients are safe, which is HIQA's remit, but we must also look after the staff who are looking after the patients in these hospitals. Their morale is on the floor.

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