Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming into the House to address this matter. He has said that this is temporary but nobody trusts the HSE. This is a case of sheer ineptitude on the part of senior management in the HSE. A blind woman or man could see that this was coming. The services did not have enough staff and were under chronic pressure. I want to pay tribute to the staff in both facilities for the fabulous work they do and for the excellent treatment they give to patients.

Nobody told me, as a public representative, about this. A patient's family phoned me and when I phoned the HSE, they said that they were going to tell me. This is nothing but subterfuge and deceit on the part of senior HSE management who do not care. They do not care about the patients. I know that the Minister means what he says but the HSE managers do not mean it. They go off on their holidays, tours and trips. They saw this coming and now the hospital in Clonmel will be totally swamped, as will University Hospital Waterford. Clonmel will be totally swamped and when winter comes, God help us. The Minister was there, he saw the facilities and rubbed his hands. He is still rubbing his hands but nothing has been done; rather, this is going to make a bad situation worse. I am glad that the Minister has said that money will be invested as part of the five-year programme because we need new beds in St. Patrick's. Will it happen, though? We will hold the Minister to account.

Finally, I ask the Minister to receive Ms Twomey at his office this evening to bring the current stand-off to an end. I asked him to do so earlier today, as did many other Deputies. The Minister should meet her for five minutes. He should have the good grace to inform her of the current situation.

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