Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am beginning to sound like a broken record but I wish to raise the issue of University Hospital Limerick. There were 85 people on trolleys on Monday and 75 yesterday. The list is growing. I met with the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, last week to express my frustration. We need to ensure a safe environment for the staff of the hospital and for people attending it. I recently met somebody who chose to stay at home rather than go to the hospital, even though they were very ill. That is a very sad case. Something has to happen and somebody has to intervene. The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland is carrying out an independent review. What is the status of that review? There is no sign of the report coming out. I ask the Leader to bring the Minister in to have a debate on overcrowding in hospitals, especially University Hospital Limerick, as soon as possible for the sake of the safety of patients, staff, and those who attend the hospital every day.