Yesterday I raised the issue of the continuing deterioration of the health service and the HSE. Taking my local hospital, Beaumont Hospital, as an example, 39 admitted patients are waiting on trolleys in the accident and emergency department, 33 beds are closed and there are 90 delayed discharges. There was an increase of 26% in waiting lists in the first four months of the year. The situation is going from bad to worse and at crisis point. Today the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, has called for the hospital to go off-call immediately and not take any additional patients through the accident and emergency department or for any surgery. We do not need to discuss any further the track record of Deputy James Reilly as Minister for Health. People know that he was the worst Minister for Health who ever took charge of the Department in the history of the State.

The Senator should withdraw that charge.

Why should I withdraw it? It is true. It is a fact.

I thought a person had to be in the House to defend himself or herself.

It is a political charge. Senator Darragh O'Brien to continue, without interruption.

I am sure my colleague from Kilkenny is more than able to put a spin on Deputy James Reilly's record in the Department of Health, but anyone who speaks the truth on this matter will know that he was a complete and utter disaster. People expected better from the straight-talking Deputy Leo Varadkar, the master of spin and the guy who will tell it as it is. The guy can continue to tell it as it is, but he must do his job as Minister for Health.

Since the Government took over four years ago, the health service has got worse and worse. Since the Minister took over, the situation has gone from very bad to extremely bad to crisis point, but nothing is happening. The Minister is interviewed from time to time and says he wants people to do better, but there is no plan and no implementation of a plan. What does the Government and Senator Ivana Bacik on behalf of the Government in the Seanad say to the 39 patients who are lying on trolleys in the accident and emergency department in Beaumont Hospital today? Does she believe the INMO is incorrect in calling for the hospital to go off-call? It is not just me who is saying this; it is medical professionals, doctors, nurses, surgeons and consultants who are saying the Government is failing people. Time and again it fails the sick, the elderly and those with special needs time. What is happening in Beaumont Hospital, as one example, is that 39 patients who have been admitted are lying on trolleys. The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has actually called for the hospital to be closed to new admissions. Absolutely nothing is being done about this. Health waiting lists have doubled since the Government took over.

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar, come to the Chamber to tell me the Government's plan to deal with the crisis. Does he agree that Beaumont Hospital should be closed to admissions of new patients? What is he going to do about it? I want him to answer these questions, as this is a serious issue. I formally propose that the Minister come to the House to address the worsening crisis in the health service, specifically the issue in Beaumont Hospital and other hospitals across the city, county and country.

I am surprised at the personal attack made by Senator Darragh O'Brien on the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the former Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly.

He was a disaster. He was the worst Minister ever in the Department of Health.

That is a bit rich considering the major challenges the Government inherited. There are major challenges in the health service, with an ageing population and increase in population.

Double the number of patients on trolleys.

We are providing more services than ever before and I have no doubt that the Minister for Health, Deputy Leo Varadkar, would be more than happy to debate the challenges facing him in his Department. He will not be in a position to do that today, but I call for him to come to the House in the coming weeks as a matter of urgency to have a debate on the major challenges facing the health service.

I speak for everyone in the House and people throughout Ireland when I express sympathy to the family of the much-loved broadcaster Derek Davis who passed away at the young age of 67 years. He was a highly professional broadcaster, a lovely gentleman and hugely popular with his audience. We all know how popular "Live at Three", the programme he co-hosted with Thelma Mansfield, was with older people in communities. He presented many other programmes on radio and television. He will be greatly missed. He loved the outdoors. I was privileged to hear a recent interview with him on RTE television a few weeks ago. We remember him with great affection and extend our sympathy to the family.

I congratulate the IRFU on winning the bid to host the women's Rugby World Cup in 2017. It is a huge opportunity to promote women's sport and raise the profile of women's rugby. It is a fitting recognition of the success of our ladies' rugby team in recent years and a big opportunity to showcase the wonderful hosts we can be of major international events. It will strengthen our bid to secure the holding of the men's Rugby World Cup in 2023. I wish the IRFU success in hosting this event in Dublin and Belfast.

I welcome the new measures announced by the Government on mortgage arrears. It is acutely conscious of the impact of debt on families and determined to see the issue resolved. Yesterday's package which should help to bring some relief to those struggling with mortgage debt builds on the steps already taken. It will increase the supports available and help to increase the numbers availing of them. The major reform of the insolvency framework is the fact that the courts are being given the power to approve insolvency deals rejected by banks, where appropriate. The message we want to get to everyone is that the help they need is available. People who do not engage are putting their homes at serious risk of repossession. Everyone should avail of the new opportunities to address the issue of mortgage arrears.