Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the contrary, the Taoiseach's comments yesterday were clear evidence that the Government's priority - it is also the priority of front-line staff - was to make sure we would deal with patients in an effective and humanitarian way. It is highly distressing for patients to have to wait for long periods on trolleys in emergency departments. In any business, as I think the Taoiseach said, there are periods when peak demand can be anticipated. For example, in the hospitality sector peak demand is probably in the summertime, while in teaching it is probably when schools reopen. We have known for decades that peak demand in the public health service is in the winter, immediately after Christmas. The Taoiseach's comments were a clear recognition that front-line staff - doctors, nurses and supporting ancillary staff in laboratories, etc. - were critical in resolving the issue. Far from denigrating them, the challenge the Taoiseach posed yesterday was to HSE management.

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