John Minihan (Progressive Democrats)

It was simultaneously sad and amusing to hear Fine Gael's spokesperson on health commit his party to delivering four 150-bed units with step-down beds. That constitutes a pessimistic and limited total of just 600 beds, whereas the Tánaiste has already stated explicitly that the HSE should use as many public and private nursing home beds as required to release beds for patients awaiting admission. The acute beds that become available as a result will be ring-fenced for those patients awaiting admission to accident and emergency departments. The numbers will not be limited to 600 beds.

While every suggestion from the Opposition that would improve accident and emergency services is already being implemented, the flaky suggestions put forward by Fine Gael are not. For example, Fine Gael's proposal to fine drunks in accident and emergency units and to turn already busy doctors and nurses into policemen is as preposterous as it is desperate.