asked the Minister for Health the plans he has to deal with growing queues at the casualty department of Dublin hospitals.

The information available to my Department does not suggest that queues at the casualty departments of Dublin hospitals are now any larger than they have been in the past. In fact, it would appear that casualty attendances at these hospitals are declining, particularly since the introduction of the £10 charge which has achieved one of its principal purposes in reducing inappropriate use of casualty departments.

On week-days the casualty departments of all Dublin hospitals are open between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. This represents an enormous improvement over the situation which prevailed for much of 1987 when they were closed while the hospital was not on accident and emergency call. As staff have to deal first with the more seriously ill, who form a large and increasing percentage of attendances and often require admission, delays are sometimes experienced by those less ill patients. Such delays are regrettable but appropriate treatment is always given as soon as staff are available.

My Department are in regular touch with all the major hospitals keeping services under review and ensuring that they balance and adjust the resources available to provide an appropriate level of care in casualty departments as needs arise.

I suggest to the Minister that neither he nor his Department is in touch with the situation. Our casualty departments are under more pressure than has been evidenced for some time past, particularly in St. James's hospital, where there are, at the moment, delays of three to four hours regularly in getting treatment.

I am aware that Deputy Mitchell made representations recently about the position in St. James's hospital. I could outline the exact details of the different hospitals in Dublin in relation to their casualty sections. I have stated quite clearly that action is taken to deal with people as they come into casualty. The more seriously ill are dealt with as a matter of urgency and they are dealt with quickly.

How then is it that casualty departments are discharging seriously ill people quickly, some within 12 hours, and some in fact dying very shortly after their discharge? Is this not evidence that the casualty departments are under extreme pressure and need not just examination and replies suggesting that there is no problem but some sort of action to ensure that they are able to cope more effectively and more humanely with the demands being made on them at the moment, particularly in St. James's and Beaumont, the very large amalgamated hospitals which are finding they have to deal with increased numbers because of the amalgamation of hospitals?

If Deputy Flaherty has particular allegations she should make them known to the Department so they can be investigated. I am aware of different situations that arise at different times in relation to decisions but it would be a clinical decision to discharge a patient. We will carry out an investigation if any unfortunate incident occurs.

That is a cop out.