Minister for Health Mary Harney has criticised the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) for not being an appropriate place for any citizens of this State.
The Minister was giving the Joint Committee on Health and Children a progress report on major health reforms.
The proposed new facility for the hospital was raised during questions. Ms Harney said she visited the hospital the day before. "It is not a facility that any of us should be proud of."
She said she had visited Nelson Mandela's cell when she was in South Africa, and the CMH facilities were no better.
Senator Fergal Browne (FG) asked if, in the light of the London terrorist attacks, the State had the capacity to cope with an atrocity or a major disaster.
Ms Harney replied: "I am quite confident that if there was a real emergency then the services would cope, and I am optimistic about our emergency plan."
Dr Jerry Cowley TD (Ind) tried to raise the issue of a man in Mayo General Hospital whom he said was bleeding to death as he could not get a transfer to Galway University Hospital because of lack of beds and funding.
Chairman John Moloney TD (FF) said he would not allow individual cases. After several exchanges with Dr Crowley, he ruled it out.
Ms Harney said if money could have solved the health problems they would not be there today. "Spending money alone will not solve the problems unless investment is accompanied by serious reform."
On MRSA, she said a cleanliness and hygiene audit was being conducted in all hospitals with a view to establishing what the situation was and to see how it could be put right. It would not be a one-off audit. There would be on-going campaigns for hygiene in hospital and public awareness.
A&E remained a challenge and were very busy, particularly in the Dublin area. In Dublin's northside, two doctors were on duty at night between 6pm and 9am to cater for 500,000 people. "The intention is to tender for out-of-hours services in north Dublin."
Ms Harney defended the plan announced last week to get investors to supply 1,000 extra private hospital beds on the grounds of public hospitals to free up public beds.
Liz McManus TD (Labour) described the scheme as a "cash cow" as it would be hugely attractive to investors. Dr Liam Twomey TD (FG) said it would be a windfall for consultants.
Ms Harney said it was the quickest, least expensive and efficient way of providing beds.