Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I support the call made by my colleague, Senator John Paul Phelan, and others for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come to the House for a debate on crime. However, the Minister for Health and Children should also be invited to participate. A friend of mine was sent to St. James's Hospital last night and had to spend many hours in the out-patients department. While there, my friend was surrounded by many people under the influence of drink or drugs. The few patients there for medical reasons had to put with the unseemly behaviour of the others. This issue must be tackled by both Ministers. Many are turning up at accident and emergency departments as a result of drug and alcohol abuse or attacks by people under the influence of drink or drugs. This issue is not being tackled in our accident and emergency departments.