The people of Monaghan and Cavan deserve adequate health services and care within their community. In 2002, the Taoiseach, as Minister for Health and Children, refused to give a commitment to protect emergency department services at Monaghan hospital at that crucial time. In 2009, the hospital's emergency department was closed for good. The minor injuries unit lacks basic equipment. As a result, people in Monaghan are referred to Cavan hospital, where they face double the waiting time they previously faced, which can be eight hours up to 24 hours.

Does the Taoiseach accept he was wrong to strip emergency department services from Monaghan hospital? Will he deliver the investment that is needed to address this failure and stop the backlogs that are happening in Cavan hospital?

First, I did not strip Monaghan hospital of anything. It was the North Eastern Health Board that was in place at the time.

Who was over that?

Sinn Féin had members on it. I cannot believe in one sense that the Deputy is back again at this-----

I am going to keep at it.

This is not a back-and-forth exchange. The Deputy should address her remarks through the Chair.

The thing that should unite us all is the safety of patients and the people who go through our hospitals.

That is not happening. Monaghan hospital is waiting years for an emergency department.

If the Deputy wants an answer, she had better stop talking.

Anybody who knows anything about emergency care knows the first thing to get right is the first response. We have dramatically transformed the quality of first responses in this country over the past 20-odd years. That is the first point.

The Taoiseach needs to go to Cavan hospital, walk around it and see the people waiting in the emergency department.

Deputy Bennett, please. Do you wish to have your question answered?

Second, the quality of healthcare is key to any patient.

I cannot compel an answer. What I can compel is an orderly session.

What is very important is that the right care is made available at the right time for the patient to guarantee the best outcome.

That is not happening.

People are waiting two weeks for a transfer.

The Deputy wants to go back to worst outcomes and an era when we had very deficient medicine.

Deputies, please. I have called Deputy Brabazon.