Seanad debates
Wednesday, 25 June 2003
Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed).
I ask the Minister to formulate legislation to deal with the abuse of accident and emergency services. To get drunk is a wilful act. No one gets a tundish and pours the drink down one's neck. If one gets drunk, arrives in an accident and emergency unit and causes disruption, there should be an appropriate mandatory charge and, in certain circumstances, a mandatory prison sentence. Doctors, nurses and health care assistants should not be subjected to the type of abuse to which they are currently being subjected by bowsies and whipsters and I do not apologise for making these remarks.
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