Speeches
Speech by Fiona O'Malley on A&E
Speech by Fiona O’Malley T.D., Dáil Éireann, 11 th May 2005 Private Member’s Motion on Accident & Emergency
Ceann Comhairle, the Tánaiste set out clearly last night the objectives, plans and progress of the Government in tackling the obvious A&E challenge. Once again, we are re-assured that this particular issue, and indeed wider health reform, are in the safest hands. I also know that my colleague Deputy Sexton will setout further our determination to bring about improvements.
Therefore, I am going to address specifically the original motion moved by Fine Gael. Now, my record in this House will show that I treat opposition motions with great respect and certainly would not criticise them for criticism sake. If opposition motions make sense I recognise that openly in the House. I feel compelled on this occasion however, to use to my few minutes to discuss the merits or not of the Fine Gael motion.
The original motion moved is without doubt one of the most careless and ill-thought out contributions I have ever discussed in this Chamber. I am sorry to have to say that.
If we can look at Fine Gael’s proposals closely, Ceann Comhairle.
First off- the introduction of separate so-called “wet rooms” for those found simply to be drunk. These people are to be given a bed to sleep off their inebriation. What an absolutely absurd proposal. Firstly a person would have to medically assessed, the same as any other attendee. Therefore, he or she will not be separated from the sober public initially. Second, we have to define and determine whether a person is drunk. This would have to be rigorous because it is on the basis of this judgement that you are going to block off this person from medical personnel according to Fine Gael. So we are talking about a breathalyser, urine or blood test. This involves consent, which will involve the Gardaí.
We would need to provide beds for sleeping drunks, and extra Gardaí. The practicalities of the Fine Gael motion make it ludicrous. Which is a pity.
The opposition’s second proposal is to have extra Gardaí in A&E on weekends. Again we have a proposal, you couldn’t call it a policy, which seems plucked from the air.
On this very night in the upper Chamber of this House, Fine Gael are proposing another Private Member’s motion calling for more Gardaí to tackle anti-social behaviour and public order issues on our streets. Considering that between 1994 and 1996, Fine Gael presided over a reduction in the number Gardaí, they appear to think that we can now have a Gárda in every nook and cranny. I realise that this Government has made sure that between now and 2007 1,100 guards will be recruited each year, but I would ask Fine Gael to get real on this issue.
Proposal number three is for a new offence of threatening behaviour in or around an A&E. How does one legislate for the term “in or around an A&E”? Why is a new offence required? The behaviour outlined is already an offence is it not? Again, Fine Gael expect Gardaí to also patrol “in or around” every A&E in expectation of imposing an on the spot fine.
The fourth sorry proposal made by the Party opposite reads thus: “Calls on the Government to remove hangers-on who are under the influence”. The Government. The Cabinet. I have already discussed the problem of defining and evaluation whether a person is drunk or not. Again these apply.
But more to the point, how does one define a “hanger-on”. If a person, who may or may not have had a drink, accompanies an injured person to A&E, maybe a relative, maybe an elderly person- are they a “hanger-on”? One of Fine Gael’s declining number of Gardaí is also supposed to apply an on-the spot fine if they are. This is simply a stupid proposal.
Finally we have the proposal to charge drunks double fees for non-treatment. Again, the person must be medically assessed. Drunkenness must be defined and proven. Consent for an evaluation must be gained. A Gárda may have to be present. Once it has been decided that the person in fact does not need treatment, Fine Gael want them to be charged double for that treatment they do not need. Fine Gael have not spared the public the company of the drunk as they won’t be separated until they have been assessed. Fine Gael have not freed up A&E staff as the person still has to be assessed. And if Fine Gael thinks that this measure would deter someone who is ossified from ending up at A&E, they are more deluded than I imagined.
I think that the standard of the original motion is a great shame.