Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

It is unusual for a Bill to be rushed through in this manner. However, I understand that it relates to a mistake made in initial legislation concerning ground water and the applicability of the legislation to the bodies established under the British-Irish Agreement. We will support the Bill and ensure that it gets through this House today on the basis that it will help the bodies and ensure the continued work of the Agreement.

Senator Norris raised a very important matter on yesterday's Order of Business concerning drink-related problems in accident and emergency departments at weekends. In the Dáil, the Taoiseach cited the extraordinary statistic that three out of four persons admitted to accident and emergency departments in Dublin acute hospitals at weekends are drunk. We have a responsibility to protect staff and patients who are genuinely sick, and an additional responsibility to make these other people pay an additional charge. It is unfair and wrong that they can abuse our health service for no other reason than they are out of their heads with drink. I ask the Leader to forcibly express my views and those of other Senators to the Minister for Health and Children.

Additional Garda protection is also needed in accident and emergency departments over the weekend. It is a most unsatisfactory situation for staff and patients. Senator Norris and others proposed drunk tanks, whereby drunk people are segregated from ordinary, decent patients.