Page 58 of the programme for Government commits to reducing emergency department overcrowding. I know from an answer given to my colleague, Deputy McDonald, that those in government are not massive fans of equal pay for work of equal value. They are very lucky that they are not getting paid by results. A total of 601 people were on hospital trolleys yesterday and there are nearly 520 people on trolleys today. What will the Tánaiste do about this that is new because whatever she is doing and however half-hearted her efforts, it is not working? What comfort can she give to people on trolleys now who are likely to be on those trolleys for the next two to three days? What is her plan? What does she intend to do that is new?

I call Deputy Joan Collins on the same issue.

To follow up on that point, the problem is not just affecting people in emergency departments. I have just got a text from a constituent stating that her 16 year old daughter was due to go into hospital to have a kidney removed today but she got a telephone call to say it was cancelled because approximately 42 people were waiting on trolleys and 20 people were waiting on beds. This problem has to be addressed very quickly. It is outrageous.

It is absolutely unacceptable to all of us that hundreds of patients are on trolleys for long periods of time, especially patients who are elderly and vulnerable. It also means extremely difficult working conditions for front-line staff. We heard comments this morning from the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine. The trolley numbers for January are lower this year than last year. Nevertheless, it is an unacceptable situation.

The Minister for Health is determined to break the cycle we have seen previous Governments try to break. He is determined to break that cycle so that we do not continue to see that situation. He has outlined the three areas needed to deal with this problem. The bed capacity review is under way to examine precisely the type of new beds that are needed, whether it is high dependency and so on. He is working with all the relevant organisations. We have to continue to recruit. The Minister is in discussions with the nursing organisations and trade unions to see how we can accelerate recruitment because that is part of solving a very important aspect of the problem. The difficulties in that regard are well documented. Dealing with the new general practitioner contract that is needed is essential because the development of primary care services are part of the answer to this problem.

Thank you, Tánaiste.

Action is under way-----

Sorry, a Cheann Comhairle, I want an answer to my specific question, please.

I am answering the Deputy's specific question.

What is she doing that is new?

That is what is new.

We cannot have a debate.

In order to break the cycle, we have to deal with those three issues. There is an action plan in place-----

That is nothing new.

-----with regard to each of them. It will not happen overnight-----

The Tánaiste to conclude, please.

-----but it is what is needed to break the cycle many Governments attempted to break in the past. To deal with this issue we have to act on each of those areas, and the Minister is doing that.