A good idea.

That is the way many Government backbenchers treat it. I want to ask the Minister about the new caring face of Fianna Fáil that is trying to break out all over the place. What exactly does it mean in terms of the implementation of the Hanly report? Will the Hanly report be implemented à la the Minister for Health and Children or will it be abridged and aborted in line with this Minister’s thinking? Which will it be? I ask the question specifically in regard to the implications of the Hanly report for accident and emergency services throughout the country and in the context of the point made by Deputy Kenny when he averted to the fact that a man in my constituency who got off a trolley to go to the toilet came back and found the trolley was gone.

In this region yesterday, 150 patients were on trolleys. There were 30 patients on trolleys in Naas hospital alone, with 40 beds closed, a shortage of nurses and nurses in that hospital on work to rule. What are the implications of this state of chaos for the new caring Fianna Fáil that is about to break out were it not for the Progressive Democrats? The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, told the country this morning that our economy is the envy of Europe. Our health services are not the envy of Europe. What is the point of economic growth if we are to endure health services like these? Will the Minister indicate exactly what the new social democratic wing of Fianna Fáil says it should do with Hanly if it could get the Progressive Democrats off its back? What are the implications for patients lying on trolleys in the circumstances described in this morning's newspapers, a phenomenon that existed once or twice during peak winter periods in the past but which now appears to be a regular feature throughout the year?

First, there is no new social democratic wing in Fianna Fáil. As for the Fianna Fáil record on helping the poor, increasing pensions and providing funds for those who are in need, we will stand our record against that of any political party in this House, and we will continue to do that.

What about widows?

The Progressive Democrats are to blame.

Second, of course there is a need for economic development because it is the economic development and growth in our economy that affords us the opportunity——

What is the Government doing about Hanly?

Allow me to answer the question. The Deputy raised a number of questions.

The time is up. Switch off the microphone.

It is the economic development and growth in our economy that affords us the opportunity to deal with these questions.

The numbers of people on hospital trolleys and the problems in accident and emergency services are unacceptable. That is the reason the number of accident and emergency specialists has increased from 14 in 1997 to 51, including ten in Dublin, bringing the number there to 21, to try to grapple with the problems associated with accident and emergency services.

Other services, such as those provided by GPs, need to be developed to ensure that only appropriate admissions are made to accident and emergency departments. Step-down services for patients in acute beds must also be developed to free up beds. Accident and emergency departments must also be expanded and developed.

With regard to the Hanly report, the Minister for Health and Children and I have already indicated to the House the core principles of improving the structures of the health services through providing more consultants to the regions and the provision of services that have hitherto not been available. At the same time, local communities must be listened to to ensure accident and emergency services are provided in regional hospitals on a 24-hour basis and improvements in existing services.