I raise the scandalous legal memorandum that was sent by the bosses of the HSE to staff on how to deal with patients in our hospitals in which they were advised to use the minimum force on trespassing patients. It was a scandalous remark with which to describe patients who are sick in our hospitals. Is the Taoiseach aware that severe pressure has been put on staff to get patients out of our general hospitals especially-----

Is this a question on legislation?

It is. It is from the programme for Government, based on health reform and the improvement of services. What is happening here is that staff in general hospitals have been advised to get patients out of the beds to make room for other patients who are on trolleys. That is not the way to do it. What they are doing is insisting that families sign up to the fair deal scheme before they allow them to stay in the general hospitals or before they are transferred to the step-down district and community hospitals. What are the Minister for Health and the Taoiseach going to do about this? Are they in charge of health or not?

Thank you, Deputy.

To describe patients and sick people as trespassers in our hospitals is absolutely scandalous.

The Taoiseach will have to tackle what is happening on the ground because it is an absolute disgrace.

The comment is not about legislation. The comment to which Deputy Danny Healy-Rae referred should not have been made. It was grossly inappropriate. It was withdrawn and an apology was issued. No patient should be discharged from hospital unless he or she is medically fit to be discharged and where there is an appropriate place for him or her to go.