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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Beaumont Hospital overcrowding

Summary

Thomas P. Broughan highlights patients spending prolonged periods on chairs at Beaumont Hospital and seeks additional resources. The Chair says it should be raised as a Topical Issue; the Tánaiste says the matter is being dealt with.

Patients and staff are trying to operate in incredible conditions. Is the Tánaiste making any input into the work of the Department of Health?

Comment on this
Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

If the Deputy tries to raise this matter as a Topical Issue, I will give him an opportunity to speak on it.

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I will be unable to do so for a few weeks. The Tánaiste might like to respond now while he is here.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

We cannot do it on the Order of Business.

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It is important for the Tánaiste to comment on how he might bring additional resources to Beaumont Hospital, one of the premier hospitals in Dublin, and assist patients rather than leaving them on chairs for 30 or 40 hours.

Comment on this
Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

I appreciate that this is a very important issue, but it is not appropriate to raise it on the Order of Business.

Comment on this

The workplace relations Bill is progressing. It is a large piece of legislation which is expected to be published in the next session. We are two years into the life of the Government, as Deputy Thomas P. Broughan said, and this is the first occasion on which he has raised the issue of Beaumont Hospital with me. However, his colleague, Deputy Seán Kenny, has raised it with me. The matter is being dealt with.

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I raise it all the time. I have raised it with the Minister.

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That is a low one.

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I raised it with our Ministers of State when we had two of them.

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The Labour Party still has two Ministers of State. It is just that they have changed.

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I am talking about when we had two female Ministers of State.

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Will the Deputy elaborate on what he means by "we"?

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