In recent weeks the Taoiseach has given the House some indication of the way the Government proposes to deal with the appalling conditions that apply in many accident and emergency units throughout the country. The Government's response has been to hide behind the ten-point plan published last November, which the Taoiseach has admitted will not make any serious inroads until next autumn. We have also seen the spectacle of a number of Ministers flying kites such as the use of St. Bricin's Hospital and other issues.

We learned today that Tallaght Hospital was forced to suspend elective surgery between 13 and 22 April because of serious overcrowding in the accident and emergency unit. Yesterday, there were 21 patients on trolleys in Tallaght, 22 in the Mater and 32 in Beaumont Hospital and Naas Hospital. Throughout the country yesterday there were 237 patients on trolleys. The latest proposal from Government and the Health Service Executive is to instruct all hospitals to add an extra bed to each ward to deal with this problem. It appears the Government is continuously trying to invent a policy on the hoof, so to speak.

First, if this is such a good idea, why was it not included in the ten-point plan last November? Second, will the Taoiseach indicate the status of the report from the Health and Safety Executive in respect of an instruction to hospitals to move patients from trolleys into additional beds to be placed in existing wards? Third, was that proposal discussed and agreed at a Cabinet committee as reported last week? Fourth, has any risk assessment been done in respect of this proposed move from a health and safety and infection control perspective? What is going on? Is anybody in charge in respect of this matter?

I can go back over all the initiatives again if necessary but I will confine myself to answering the questions——

Just on this one.

——raised by the Deputy. The ten-point plan the HSE has drawn up in conjunction with the Department is under way. The HSE has now put its own action team into the key accident and emergency departments to try to assist by talking to management and staff with a view to bringing this proposal to fruition as quickly as possible. Some of these matters can happen quickly, others cannot. There was a meeting of the health committee last week at which the HSE outlined to the members of Government on that committee the type of actions it is trying to implement. The proposals to put additional beds into wards or open up other beds are nothing new. In some hospitals additional beds are put into wards. That was the traditional way of dealing with accident and emergency crises. It tends not to be done now because of staff objections, which I can understand. Health and safety issues may arise also. Where beds can be made available, particularly those adjacent to accident and emergency departments, they are looking at trying to do that. In fact, they are examining all measures on the ground with the management of the hospital, the medical executives and the hospital executives of any area, that they believe can help the nursing staff. That is being done on a one to one basis in hospitals. The solution in one hospital may not be the appropriate solution in another. They are working with the staff to find solutions.

Deputy Kenny asked about the Health and Safety Authority, which has completed its programme of inspections. Everything the authority has recommended is being implemented as quickly as possible. While there are no further risks, there is enough to address in the current issues. All of the other measures I have outlined in recent weeks, especially the sourcing of suitable accommodation for people who do not need acute beds but who cannot go home, are being implemented as are the health care packages. While all of these initiatives are under way, it will take some time to complete the process. In Cork, Blanchardstown and other hospitals in which they have been provided, new facilities are operating fairly well.

I did not ask the Taoiseach about the report of the Health and Safety Authority, but will do so now. According to the report, wards, exits from wards and fire escapes were blocked with trolleys and other equipment in a number of cases. The report also stated that, in the context of overcrowding, consultations should take place in every case in which extra bed capacity was to be allocated to a ward. Is that being done in every such instance?

Will the Taoiseach comment on today's claim by the Irish Nurses Organisation that there are hundreds of empty beds nationally which could be utilised, of which approximately 150 are in Dublin alone, without adding to the pressure on existing wards? Is the Taoiseach happy that full use is being made of existing bed capacity, without adding to the risk of infection or compromising health and safety, by moving beds into existing wards?

I understand that approximately 25% of those who attend accident and emergency units at weekends are intoxicated or drunk out of their minds and oftentimes accompanied by hangers on. What is the Government response to such circumstances which arise every weekend?

I referred to the Health and Safety Authority in response to Deputy Kenny's question as to whether the authority was involved with the HSE in ensuring the executive's initiatives were in line with its requirements. The process is underway. I am told the HSA has acknowledged that hospitals are fully engaged in a process of addressing health and safety requirements in accident and emergency units.

We were told last week at a meeting attended by most of its executive team that the Health Service Executive was examining on a case-by-case basis hospitals with beds which were not open or which could be used to alleviate accident and emergency and other problems. The team went through a range of initiatives at different hospitals to tackle their different problems. The executive is working on the ground to find resolutions to the problems. Bed managers and other hospital staff have engaged last week and this week directly with those problems. Mr. Doran of the Irish Nurses Organisation has written to me in the last few days to provide records of beds the organisation believes could be opened. I passed the information to the Tánaiste and the Department of Health and Children and it will be examined.

Deputy Kenny was correct to indicate that a significant cause of major difficulties at accident and emergency units is alcohol. It is estimated by the experts in the field that between 25% and 35% of patients presenting are under the influence, which proportion rises to 75% during the peak hours of Saturday night and Sunday morning. I am not in a position to correct the figure, but the experts say alcohol is the key issue at accident and emergency units at peak hours. If it is anywhere between 25% and 75%, they are right. Short-term patients present with injuries directly related to the fact that they are heavily under the influence of alcohol which creates a problem. I do not suggest it is the only issue facing accident and emergency services as there are obviously problems at other times.

Alcohol abuse is a problem which cannot be addressed solely at accident and emergency level as it is a problem for society as a whole. Many initiatives have been put forward by many groups, including the task force on alcohol. I met the task force recently to discuss the 77 recommendations it has put forward, all of which are worthy of being acted on. It is no use to say the matter can be easily resolved, because it involves problems of society.