Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his comprehensive reply. I accept there have been huge improvements in the delivery of vital health services in very difficult and challenging times. Sufficient recognition is not given to that. However, there are a couple of small measures that could have a considerable impact in improving the delivery of services. One such measure concerns the operation and layout of emergency departments. The staff there are under the cosh all the time. They work in appalling conditions, sometimes under physical threat and always under some type of threat. In some cases, patients move from beds in wards into the emergency department area to confront each other and confront staff in a way that is totally unacceptable. There could and should be a rapid inspection of emergency departments all over the country to stamp out this ongoing behaviour that is causing considerable stress.

The other issue in regard to the delivery of health services is one we need to think about more. We spend a lot of time talking about treatment purchase schemes both within the island of Ireland and overseas. All the services provided under those schemes are readily available here, albeit through the private system. I do not see any reason people should have to travel outside the jurisdiction for services such as eye procedures, which is a regular occurrence, when the services are readily available through the private sector.

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