UHL offers the only emergency department for a catchment of approximately 400,000 people across north Tipperary, Clare and Limerick. It is the only emergency department in Ireland with such a large population depending on it. The people I represent do not believe one emergency department is enough for the mid-west region, with north Tipperary feeling services are inadequate, particularly while we wait for the 96-bed unit to be opened this summer. The last time I asked this question, we were awaiting the interim report from HIQA in relation to the need for a second emergency department in the region. I understand that interim report has now been provided to the Minister. Has the Minister considered that report to date? Will it be published? When is the final report from HIQA on this matter expected?

The Government has a responsibility to increase Garda numbers nationally. That commitment is reflected in the programme for Government but I have a duty to highlight the challenges in Dublin West and the K district, one of the most demanding policing districts in the country. There are significant and concerning differences in garda numbers in the K district versus neighbouring districts. It can be as high as one garda for every 531 people in the K area versus one garda per 397 in a neighbouring district and that neighbouring district has 40% lower crime statistics. Will the Taoiseach and Minister for Justice invite the Garda Commissioner to report on garda levels allocated to all Dublin metropolitan region districts with reference to population and crime levels, as part of work to address Garda retention and recruitment?

Deputy Cullinane raised the issue of the runway and the airport. I dealt with that already. In response to Deputy O'Connor, Jameson is a world-class product. There is enormous investment going on in the Midleton plant and in a new one and obviously there is huge concern about how the tariffs will proceed. Let us remember that the European Union does not want any tariffs. The US Government has started this with a resumption of tariffs on steel and aluminium. The EU has re-enacted what it already had in place the last time but there is a public consultation period. We invite all companies to engage with and input into that. We will be engaging with the Commission. Obviously there has to be a comprehensive response to any tariffs that will be announced on 2 April. The EU will be allowing a bit of time after 2 April before it responds. The EU will adopt a strategic approach, which is what we will push for, that tries to leverage the best outcome possible for the European Union. Be in no doubt that we do not want a tariff war in Europe. It would be damaging to the economy and already we are seeing forecasts of a negative impact on GDP.

In response to Deputy Gogarty, I am not too sure it is an election interference event. In terms of Mr. McGregor, as I have articulated publicly, I fundamentally disagree with what he said. In some respects, perhaps, he craves attention-----

They gave it to him, talking about him on our national holiday.

It might be wiser of us not to facilitate that.

My understanding is that the humanitarian scheme is not fully closed yet. I do not think the Minister has closed it. I will ask him to engage with Deputy Kerrane and update her in respect of it.

In response to Deputy Currie, while the operation of An Garda Síochána is an operational matter. I will raise the issues she has raised here with the Minister.

I will ask the Minister for Health to reply to Deputy O'Meara now.

I just want to observe with regard to UHL that over the bank holiday weekend in February, 140 people were waiting on trolleys but this weekend there were 79. That is a 56% reduction and it should be like that all the time. There is huge capacity going into Limerick in terms of the 96-bed block and a second one. There will be 582 new beds delivered. An interim report by HIQA was brought to me and I will probably publish it today. I can tell the House now that it is basically a summary of the work that has been done to date in terms of the schedule of meetings, the stakeholders that have been involved and so on. It does not make any commitments or suggestions about the direction of travel that will be in its final report, which I expect to receive in May. We have had a 56% reduction in a number of weeks based on changed working practices. There were 230 people waiting on trolleys over the weekend and Limerick alone contributed 79 of those. It is possible to reduce trolley numbers and the pressure in emergency departments by changing work practices alone. There was a 70% reduction nationally. This is possible without additional infrastructure but by changing work practices, in large part.