Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I agree with Senator Moylan's call for a debate on the recent excellent report on sudden adult deaths. All Members will recall the tragic death of Cormac McAnallen, the former Tyrone football captain. The excellent news is that 30% of people who experience cardiac arrests can be saved by defibrillators. This equates to thousands of people in Ireland every year. These machines are small and may be used anywhere. The House should have an urgent debate as this matter affects all parts of the country. Defibrillators can complement the existing health services, particularly in quite remote areas far from major hospital centres.

Instead of having a debate on health per se, I ask for a debate on the progress, or lack thereof, in respect of the health service. While the Tánaiste promised to abolish the spectacle of people on trolleys, more than 400 people were on trolleys yesterday. She promised a ten-point emergency plan that would alleviate all problems overnight, which has not taken place. She also promised——