Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hope that the relationship we have built up over a short period will result in a good working relationship. What happened at the start of the meeting is unfortunate. The witnesses need to realise the role of the Committee of Public Accounts is to consider public expenditure. It is never personal and this should be borne in mind as we work.

I wish to refer to one local issue and then a national one. In Limerick city, which I represent, a story broke this morning - I was not aware of it as a public representative but should have been - that certain patients that have heart attacks are taken directly to Galway instead of Limerick regional hospital. I had contact with the HSE on this. I understand that, at this point, what is required is an inspection of Limerick regional hospital by the officials associated with the national clinical programme, the coronary syndromes programme, with a view to putting in place a CAT laboratory with a 24-hour service. Can the witnesses assure me that this inspection will take place immediately? On what date will the 24-hour cardiac service be made available in Limerick regional hospital? The situation has created fear and anxiety among the Limerick public that should not have been allowed to have been created. It is a matter of communication. I would like a categorical statement tonight that the inspection of the service will take place to ensure there are adequate facilitates and services. I would like to know the date on which the 24-hour CAT laboratory and cardiac unit will be open to the patients of Limerick.