Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

While my colleague on the Opposition benches is smiling now, I did so. Fine Gael claimed the credit when the party announced a similar initiative after I did so. I understand the cards are almost ready for issue. All sensible people must agree this is a very positive step, which will help many people on marginal income and considerably alleviate problems in the accident and emergency services.

Unfortunately, some GPs seem to be behaving like spoilt children. They want to make policy without seeking election instead of implementing good policy initiatives of a duly elected government. Of course, they really want more money. They are wrong and should not hold up this initiative. Moreover they should not be allowed to get away with it. People should condemn this small number of GPs for their action. Equally, some consultants are making threats of non-co-operation and strikes. Professor Niamh Brennan was aghast when she reported on the consultants' contracts. I was pleased to read this week that the consultants' contracts are now being reviewed and I hope this leads to change.

If we wish to make serious improvement in the health service and in particular in the accident and emergency service, politicians, the Health Service Executive and the various professional bodies must try to forget personal often greedy needs and work together for the common good. The HSE has a new chief executive, Professor Brendan Drumm, whom I congratulate. Somewhat like the late Pope, I have only heard good of him. He has the added advantage of coming from my area of Sligo where he grew up and received his education. I wish him well in the hard task ahead of him. His reputation goes before him and I am sure he will do an excellent job.

Accident and emergency services at the Mater Hospital received much media attention last week, particularly on Joe Duffy's radio programme. Various businessmen phoned in to offer items free of charge. However, for some reason these had to be turned down. Arising from that programme it has emerged that the Mater Hospital has sought additional funding to help its accident and emergency department. I hope such funding will be made available. Given the crisis in accident and emergency services and the genuine concern of the public, I ask the Tánaiste to consider that case and try to give it additional funding.

The VHI is to establish minor injury clinics, one on the south side and one on the north side of Dublin. Senator Henry has problems with these and has asked what would happen to a patient with major trauma if that condition were not identified. I believe this will be a positive development. They will handle minor injuries and will alleviate the strain on accident and emergency departments.

I was pleased to hear the Tánaiste confirm she supports older people staying in the home setting and where possible keeping older people at home. I am a member of the National Social and Economic Forum. Senator Kate Walsh and I are members of a sub-committee for care of the elderly. Some very innovative ideas are coming from that group. It is good to know that the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children is supportive of that work.

I welcome the inspection report from the Health and Safety Authority on accident and emergency departments. More reports are to follow which is good. When I was a member of the health council we inspected accident and emergency departments. We were very critical of many of them and praised the ones that deserved praise. The inspections are done in the interest of safety and I am glad to see them happening.

The Tánaiste mentioned that we would spend €1 billion more on the health services this year than we did last year. It is worth mentioning that on a per capita basis we are ahead of countries like Germany, Italy, Belgium and France, to name a few. The Tánaiste stated that less than 10% of people who access accident and emergency departments end up on a trolley for more than 24 hours. She related a nice story from a man who told of his mother being in and out within two hours. While we often hear of the tragic stories we seldom hear the good stories. As I have said before in the House, St. Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny, under the stewardship of Dr. Gary Courtney, has a wonderful blueprint for accident and emergency departments and this should be considered for other hospitals.