Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

We agree with the Leader's proposal. It is the right thing to do in the circumstances. In November 2004, the Tánaiste launched a ten-point action plan to resolve the then crisis in accident and emergency units in acute hospitals. She promised that significant results would be seen by patients and the public by autumn 2005. At the time there was a significant problem with the number of persons languishing on hospital trolleys in accident and emergency units. However, the number of people on trolleys has trebled since November 2004 and yesterday the figures given by the HSE and the Irish Nurses Organisation were between 400 and 495.

We do not need a new task force to examine this issue. What is needed is straightforward — more beds and more support for frontline doctors and nurses. A total of 3,000 beds were taken out of the health care system between 1987 and 1991 so it is no surprise that we are experiencing the current crisis. Those beds are needed. Will the Leader ensure that when the House resumes after the St. Patrick's Day break the Tánaiste will come to the House to report on progress, or the lack of it, on the plan she published in November 2004? Perhaps she will listen to some of the suggestions that can be made on this issue rather than attack consultants, work practices and everybody else.