Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise the issue of the hospital in Limerick where there are more than 100 people on trolleys today. The new CEO of the HSE was before the health committee this morning. It was enlightening to hear him confirming that he intends to make changes. He has admitted that in many locations the HSE is very top-heavy and that changes need to be made. It sounds like he is going to hit the ground running from his contribution at the health committee today. That does not resolve the issue of the more than 100 people on trolleys in Limerick today. I have asked for this several times and it still has not happened. I would like the Minister to come before the House to have a debate regarding health issues and I would ask for Members support regarding this matter.

I agree with Senator Murphy's call for an examination of crime and security. I watched the "Prime Time" episode last night and Mr. Shane Gleeson from Limerick who recounted being threatened with a broken wine bottle in his shop. People have also been threatened with needles. It is not just the people profiled in the programme, many other businesses right across the country are facing problems. Recently I spoke to a charity which has meetings late at night. School-age children were intimidating the people as they were leaving the meeting. This is simply not acceptable and parents need to take more responsibility. We need to have a discussion regarding this issue.