Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There is a concern out there about the leadership of the new version of Government in issues relating to Covid, such as masks, testing, quarantine, the green list and so on. We also have real issues coming down the line regarding trolley numbers in acute hospitals. The numbers released today by the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation in relation to trolley numbers are scary. The total number is 166. In relation to University Hospital Limerick, the number is 56. The Minister is now silent on this issue despite making a range of huge commitments on it prior to being appointed. What is the Taoiseach going to do about this? We are in the middle of a pandemic. We need leadership as to how we ensure we can cope over the coming months with Covid and non-Covid illnesses, particularly in relation to acute settings and trolley numbers. Commitments have been made. The Minister seems to be missing. What will the Taoiseach do?

See this speech in context