Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Last week the crisis in accident and emergency departments across the country reached intolerable and unacceptable levels, with 600 people on trolleys. We are not talking statistics because these are real people, whether a child, a parent or a grandparent. Immense distress has been caused and a fundamental question is whether their health or their safety was compromised as a result of the unacceptable and chaotic situation in our accident and emergency departments. Great tribute must be paid to front-line staff.

The crisis should never have escalated to the level it achieved. Notwithstanding the promises of Deputy James Reilly when he said, "Never again will there be 569 patients on trolleys on a single day while this Government is in office" -----

See this speech in context