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

I take the opportunity to express my sympathies, and those of my party, to the family of the late legendary broadcaster Jimmy Magee, who was part of the childhood memories of some Members of the House. My first memory of his commentaries was of Cork Celtic versus Shamrock Rovers some time in the late 60s. Of course he covered many major events, from Olympics to boxing to soccer. He was known as the "memory man" because of his encyclopedic knowledge of all sports. He was a great quizmaster down through the years, involving many sporting clubs. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. He was one of the most knowledgeable people I have ever met.

With regard to the programme for Government, there has already been significant overcrowding in our country's hospitals, particularly in our emergency departments. Today, 400 people are on trolleys in emergency departments throughout the State, and this is only September. A Programme for a Partnership Government states, "In advance of, and in preparation for the 2017 review of the Capital Plan 2016-2021, the new Government will undertake a national hospital bed capacity review to establish the number, type and location of beds required into the future, recognising the need for a range of beds including critical care, palliative and day case bed stock."

Will the Taoiseach indicate whether this has been completed or when it will be completed? Will he give us the latest on the new emergency departments promised in the programme for Government for University Hospital Galway and Beaumont Hospital?

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