Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

In April 2004, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform set up Operation Anvil to take on the crime gangs in west Dublin at the time. He seems to have provided financial resources for overtime, etc., to stamp out gangland murders. In November 2004, the Minister announced that he believed the Garda had broken up the substructure of the criminal gangs that existed and that he was on top of dealing with the problem. He referred to a murder at that time and said that with regard to the criminal gangs he believed it was the sting of a dying wasp. Four people were murdered in gangland situations in 2004. So far this year 17 people have lost their lives due to gang warfare activities. In that context, we face a serious problem.

While life appears to be cheap with regard to criminal gangs involved in this activity, the image being portrayed of this country is wrong. There have been 51 violent deaths up to this point in 2005. I would say to the Minister that, contrary to him saying in November 2004 that we had got to grips with this situation, we now have an escalating situation which is extremely serious. Irrespective of whatever resources and manpower are required, it behoves the Minister and the Government to take on this issue.

Reflecting on the 1995-97 period, to which Members opposite often refer, I remember the then Minister, Nora Owen, being scourged at the time by Deputy O'Donnell and Deputy O'Donoghue of zero tolerance fame. I remember her being criticised because a prisoner who had been out on temporary parole had not returned to prison. The incident made one of the news broadcasts. Contrasting that incident to the current situation that has emerged highlights the seriousness of the current situation.

I wish to refer to statistics from the Health Service Executive revealing that in excess of 10,000 people who went for elective surgery in the first six months of this year had their operations cancelled. Many of those people suffered from cancer or a serious heart condition. I ask Members to empathise with people with such a condition, whom I am sure they met as constituents from time to time, when they tell one of their disappointment, hurt and worry at their operation being cancelled. I remind people that a commitment was made that 3,000 extra hospital beds would be provided but to date only 300 extra beds have been provided. I listened to what Professor Drumm said recently and he seems to be at variance with regard to the projected provision of 3,000 extra beds and wants such provision to be more community based. It appears the beds are needed if the operations are required. Somebody somewhere needs to get to grips with this situation. I was surprised to note that the figures had reached what I regard as an astronomical level. It is more acute in certain hospitals in different parts of the country. I am sure the people from those areas are aware of that situation. I would like the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children to come to the House and tell us what is happening and if the policy is to provide more beds or more step-down facilities within the community. We need to get an idea of what is actually happening with regard to the health brief.