David Norris (Independent)

That is something we need to take into account. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Deputy Cullen, and the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Ó Cuív, attacked An Taisce because it did not give membership to five applicants in the west who all had links with one-off holiday home developments. I should correct what I said earlier. It was one of those individuals who had a conviction for illegal dumping. It is absolutely absurd to attack a group which subsequently successfully opposed the development in Powerscourt because it had become dormant due to the take-over by people who support Fianna Fáil. I say this because An Taisce was recently named and attacked.

I call for a debate on hospitals on foot of a letter I received from a gentleman whose aged aunt was kept in an accident and emergency unit for several days in a situation where there were drunks and drug addicts. Although we previously debated the issue, Members on all sides would welcome a further debate. I am not attacking the Government on this but we all feel this is an unsatisfactory situation. I respect the Minister for Health and Children but we have to address this matter.

I was also informed of an 80 year old man who sat on a chair in the corridor for five days. He had to shave and so on in full public view. An elderly couple, one of whom was on a drip, were also seated on plastic chairs. This increases my fears about the closure of the TB facility at Peamount Hospital. There is talk of transferring this service to accident and emergency units. That is a guaranteed recipe for spreading this disease, of which there are now drug-resistant strains. It is a highly dangerous proposal.

I am the only one here from my group so perhaps the Cathaoirleach will indulge me a little.