Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to the House and am grateful for the opportunity to engage in this debate. As the Tánaiste said, the situation in our accident and emergency units is unacceptable. It is important at the outset to consider the meaning of those two words, "accident" and "emergency". Those seeking treatment after an accident are patients requiring urgent attention as a consequence of an unplanned event. However, the word "emergency" seems to have been thrown in the dustbin in many cases.

The question of inappropriate usage of accident and emergency facilities looms large when this debate comes into focus. In the past a person who injured his or her finger or foot or suffered some other misfortune sought the assistance of a local GP and received the appropriate care. This no longer happens because GPs are understandably aware of the threat of litigation. GPs advise patients to attend the nearest accident and emergency facility because it can provide all the necessary resources. Many treatments such as suturing are now routinely performed in accident and emergency units rather than GPs' clinics.

There is a clear need for special training for GPs in providing these types of services. Senator Browne is correct that there is a problem in regard to the number of training places. However, I understand additional training places are being provided in the appropriate training facilities. There was a time when one would never see a non-national person in the position of non-consultant hospital doctor, NCHD. It is now the case, however, that most NCHDs are non-nationals. Where are Irish doctors going?