Health service 'disintegrating', claims opposition

Chronic overcrowding at Beaumont Hospital which resulted in ambulances being turned away yesterday is a sign that the Irish health service is "disintegrating", Fine Gael today claimed.

The party leader, Mr Michael Noonan, described the situation in the Dublin hospital, where capacity in the accident and emergency department was exceeded by 300 per cent in yesterday’s crisis, as "gravely disturbing".

Mr Michael Noonan: Seeking a TV debate with the Taoiseach on the abortion referendum.

He said the fact that the hospital’s CEO, Mr John Lamont, had said the situation "couldn’t get any worse" was a serious indictment of the Government.

Mr Noonan also attacked the Government over the crime rate, which Gardaí were unable to tackle because they were forced to patrol casualty wards in hospitals due to violent incidents.

"Surely this Government can’t ask the Irish people to give them another five years in office so they can wreak further havoc on our public services", he concluded.

Last night the Labour Party said it would seek suspension of the Dáil today to allow for an emergency debate on the health service.

The party's health spokeswoman, Ms Liz McManus, said the situation in hospitals had been of concern for a long time, but yesterdays' incident was "a new level of seriousness".

"This situation simply cannot be allowed to continue. The Minister for Health must act to provide the resources necessary to end this crisis," she added.