Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Sometimes I reflect on whether one should listen to Deputy Adams or watch what his party actually does. He comes in here regularly and he, himself, chooses not to avail of the excellent quality of our health service here in Ireland, but that is a matter for him.

I remind the Deputy that there are 120 patients on trolleys in Northern Ireland today, 40 of whom have been on those trolleys for 48 hours or more. I know the Deputy has an influence on this in Northern Ireland and perhaps he might apply himself to that as well.

The hospital and HSE management are focusing on addressing the issues in accident and emergency departments concerning patients on trolleys before the nurses might commence their work to rule in any of the hospitals concerned. That has been going on for a while. Beaumont was the first hospital to ballot on a work to rule. This would encompass clerical and administrative duties and is expected to commence on 27 January. Representatives of the management at Beaumont and of the INMO met at the Labour Relations Commision yesterday. I understand the parties agreed to revert to local discussions to consider a number of issues that were raised during the course of yesterday's discussions and process. They agreed to go back to the LRC on Thursday, 20 January.

Management is available in all of the hospitals where the INMO is carrying out ballots in respect of a work to rule.

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