I refer to the disgraceful situation in emergency departments in hospitals across the country. Yesterday there were 416 individuals on trolleys in hospital emergency departments, the two worst culprits being Letterkenny University Hospital and Cork University Hospital. In the case of the former, 26 of the 45 individuals who were awaiting an inpatient bed were on trolleys. The HSE system within emergency departments is completely dysfunctional and not fit for purpose. A leading emergency medicine specialist, Dr. Fergal Hickey, raised awareness of this issue on "Morning Ireland" this morning. He stated categorically that, in his professional opinion, people would die this winter as a result of the dysfunctional nature of emergency departments in hospitals. To date, there has been no intervention by the Minister to deal with the issue. The HSE has its head in the sand. It is not dealing with the issue, which does not only relate to emergency departments. There are other factors at play, including the need to free up medical beds in hospitals. However, this goes against the HSE's policy of closing community hospitals which could provide respite care and step-down facilities. I call on the Leader to facilitate a debate with the Minister for Health on the issue. We must find out why the HSE is not meeting its own targets as set out in the winter initiative. We must discuss the issue before people die, particularly during the critical months of December, January and February. I appeal to the Leader to invite the Minister to come to the House to discuss the matter as soon as possible.

I echo the points made by my colleagues about the number of patients on hospital trolleys. Meetings have been cancelled in the emergency department at St. James's Hospital this morning because staff are being pushed to the limit. We are now at breaking point.

I again refer to the treatment of mothers and their children. One of the scandals that was allowed to occur in mother and baby homes in the 1960s was the carrying out of vaccine trials on women and children. The inquiry of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse is the second State inquiry to investigate these vaccine trials. It has just been discovered, as reported today, that the files of residents were altered in 2002, just weeks after the commision had sought them. This is in keeping with the behaviour of the responsible authorities throughout various State inquiries. One of the victims, Ms Mari Steed, was born in Bessborough in the 1960s and is listed as one of the residents who had her records changed. She has taken legal advice and intends to make a formal complaint to An Garda Síochána and the Data Protection Commissioner.

The HSE and now Tusla are in possession of the document, which outlines the changes made to these records since 2011. It is unacceptable that they have lain there since and that no action has been taken. The Minister needs to come before the House to explain the shocking action, which is a further wrong carried out after the terror inflicted on Mari Steed and many others across Ireland.

The Senator cannot name individuals.

It is in the news so I can.

Whether it is in the news or not, we cannot do so.

This is about the treatment of our women, children and mothers across the country.