Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am sure my colleague from Kilkenny is more than able to put a spin on Deputy James Reilly's record in the Department of Health, but anyone who speaks the truth on this matter will know he was a complete and utter disaster. People expected better from straight-talking Deputy Leo Varadkar, the master of spin and the guy who will tell it as it is. The guy can continue to tell it as it is, but he must do his job as Minister for Health.

Since the Government took over four years ago, the health service has got worse and worse. Since the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, took over, the situation has gone from very bad to extremely bad to crisis point, but nothing is happening. The Minister is interviewed from time to time and he says he wants people to do better, but there is no plan and no implementation of a plan. What does the Government, and Senator Bacik on behalf of the Government in the Seanad, say to the 39 people who are lying on trolleys in the accident and emergency department in Beaumont Hospital today? Does she believe the INMO is incorrect in calling for the hospital to go off-call? It is not just me saying this; it is medical professionals, doctors, nurses, surgeons and consultants who are saying the Government is failing people. It fails the sick, the elderly and those with special needs time and again. What is happening right now in Beaumont Hospital, as one example, is that 39 people who have been admitted are lying on trolleys. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has actually called for the hospital to be closed to new admissions. Absolutely nothing is being done about this. The health waiting lists have doubled since the Government took over. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to the effect that the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, should come to the Chamber to tell me the Government's plan to deal with the crisis. Does he agree that Beaumont Hospital should be closed to admissions of new patients? What is he going to do about it? I want him to answer those questions, as this is a serious situation. I formally propose that the Minister for Health come to the House to address the worsening crisis in our health service, specifically the issue in Beaumont Hospital and other hospitals across the city, the county and the country.