The introduction of 'wet rooms', more gardaí and on-the-spot fines will stop festive drunks clogging up accident and emergency units around the country in the future, Fine Gael claimed today.
The party's proposals to cut queues were debated during a private members motion in the Dáil in May but later voted down.
Health spokesperson, Dr Liam Twomey today said the average one in three ratio of intoxicated A&E patients always rockets during the Christmas and New Year season and called for new measures to be implemented.
"One can only imagine how many more such cases will arrive over the festive season when the Christmas spirit is flowing," he said.
"It is often a nightmare for staff on the frontline.
"Not only is there a delay in treating ill patients but staff must also deal with confrontations or abuse from people who are there purely because they had too much to drink."
Fine Gael urged the Government to introduce its proposals for `wet rooms' where uninjured drunks can sleep off the effects of alcohol without interfering with staff or patients.
The opposition party has also called for extra gardai present in A&E units during peak hours on Friday and Saturday nights.
Dr Twomey also urged the Government to introduce a new offence of `threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour in or around an A&E unit' which would be subject to an on-the-spot fine of €200.
Other proposals included:
- removing drunken hangers-on from the A&E
- double A&E charges for uninjured drunks
Dr Twomey added: "The alcohol related mayhem in our A&Es cannot continue and, in light of evidence that the situation is worsening thanks to Government inaction, it is high time Fine Gael proposals were implemented.
"This Christmas, however, it's too late for the overworked staff and the many patients, young and old, who will face intimidating and dangerous behaviour while waiting for treatment."
PA