Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I saw Senator Brennan there and he looked very well.

Will the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children explain to the House the ten point plan for accident and emergency services? We all know of the protests yesterday and of the 325 patients left on trolleys in accident and emergency wards. All Members appreciate the discomfort patients experience as a result of this. I want the Tánaiste to explain when this will end. Last September, she promised the problem would be resolved by the end of March but it is still acute. As there will be a series of further protests, it is time for urgent action. The Government has had eight years to resolve it. It is a shocking indictment of the Administration that this problem still exists.