John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have one brief comment. I fundamentally oppose what has been said for two reasons. First, the Herity report was centred on the south east and the opinions should have been taken from all of the consultants in the south east, not those in Dublin or anywhere else, in terms of the input into cardiovascular services in the south east. If it had reached the stage that another cath lab was sought in a different part of the country, I do not think anyone would call for the input of the Waterford consultants who might vehemently disagree with a cath lab in Dublin, for example. I also disagree with what has been suggested that we do an independent review of an independent review.

I agree with the Deputy on that. Where is that going to go? I am not a member of this committee but a suggestion has been made by the consultants who are eminently placed, more than any of the members here, to assess the Herity report and their suggestion is that it be rejected by the committee. I am not a member of this committee but it should debate their proposal. I do not know who is on this committee. Deputy Butler and I are not members of it but we have made our points. We cannot make that decision. In any committee I have been on, if people appear before it and make a recommendation, it is discussed and a decision is made. The committee may decide to throw out their suggestion but it may very well decide to take it on board.