David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on hospital services in light of a number of factors. First and primarily, the report that was discussed this morning on radio by Professor Anne Scott of Dublin City University which is a Europe-wide survey that covered the past 14 years. It showed that there can be up to a 30% difference in patient mortality depending on the number of nurses assigned to a ward and whether they have university degrees. The matter should concern us, particularly in Ireland. A couple of years ago I remember seeing a photograph of the entire class of nursing students, for a particular year, who studied at Galway university boarding a plane for London. This matter is now a question of life and death.

We ought to look at the other side of the equation that nobody is prepared to mention, namely, patient responsibility. I spent part of yesterday in St. Vincent's Hospital and I cannot speak highly enough of the private and public medical services available in this country, both of which I and my family have used. They are splendid in the circumstances. The noticeboard in the hospital had a notice which stated that there was 27,000 no-shows for appointments in 2012. That means 27,000 people did not bother to turn up or let the hospital know that they would not arrive. The hospital has reduced the number of no-shows to 15,000 but 15,000 is too much. Yes, there are people on waiting lists but 15,000 or 27,000 other people could have been seen. In addition, the situation in accident and emergency departments at the weekends is a disgrace because they contain people who have dosed themselves with drugs and alcohol. Such people should be shoved into a padded room and left until they are able to be looked after properly.

The second matter I wish to raise is the question of Aer Lingus. I am a strong trade unionist, I am a member of three trade unions and I believe in the trade union movement. I understand and acknowledge the serious worry of people, as they get older, concerning their pensions but we need consistency and integrity. I find it profoundly shocking that SIPTU has called on its members to strike on St. Patrick's weekend. I understand pressure points and all of the rest of it but put in the context of the fact that SIPTU is taking exactly the same action against its own workers with regard to pensions and pension cuts, it has completely undermined its moral case. The House should seek an explanation from SIPTU on its position.

I always like to end on a bit of good news so let us hear it for the northside of Dublin. They are wonderful people. TV3 dropped five wallets on the southside, five wallets on the northside but only one wallet was returned on the southside.