Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I express my exasperation about what is happening at University Hospital Limerick where 80 people were waiting on trolleys for beds yesterday. I thank the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, who came down for a surprise visit during the summer. On the day in question, there were 68 people on trolleys awaiting treatment. It is an area about which I am very concerned because, although we are not yet in the winter months, there are large numbers of people waiting on trolleys. The staff at the hospital work really hard in very difficult circumstances and I pay tribute to them. Something must be done. A special case will have to be made. A number of hospitals in the region were closed down and everyone within their catchment areas has been directed to University Hospital Limerick. While there are areas of expertise being opened up in Ennis Hospital, such as the area of cataract treatment, we have to look at ways to bring all the units together to reduce waiting lists and the numbers of people waiting on trolleys.

I was not here yesterday but I know that concerns were raised about Lyric FM and, perhaps, the jobs associated with it. Although it is run from Limerick, the station is listened to across the country. I add my support to the calls to keep Lyric FM.