David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Why does it take so long for that information to get to us and to patients? Why would it take 20 months for this to go on with no resolution? It is breathtaking that it would take so long.

The second question was whether a modular lab would be put in place. I was one of several Oireachtas Members who met with the general manager of the hospital and I have met with the lead cardiac consultants. They tell us that increasing the hours at the existing lab will not make much difference, it is throwing good money after bad and is not really what is required. What is required is a modular lab. In his response the Minister says the Department is examining proposals at his request. Four months ago the group of Oireachtas Members met the Minister and the modular lab was discussed. We last met two months ago and proposals are still being examined. Why does it take so long for that to be examined? Can the Minister commit to deploying a modular lab and if he cannot, why not? Whatever about the national review being a matter of policy underpinned by clinical and medical evidence, which will take considerable time, it would not be a fundamental policy shift to deploy a modular lab because there is a mobile lab there at the moment. That has reduced waiting times for diagnostic angiograms but the effect is that the wait time for interventions has risen considerably because 30% of those diagnosed will need an intervention. We are solving one problem but creating another problem. It makes sense to put in a modular lab that can perform interventions and diagnostic angiograms. There is no good reason that cannot be done. I do not understand why it has taken so long to get to the point where we cannot get a commitment from the Minister.

I asked specifically about public consultation in the national review. It states that public consultation will start in June, and will last two months. What exactly does that mean? Will the Minister explain it for people who would be interested in this and would want to make submissions? When will the information be available? When will the public be told when and where they can make their views known?

The national review is scheduled to take 18 months. A commitment was given to Oireachtas Members in the south east if it could be done in 12 months. In his written response the Minister notes that all the key targets have been met to date. Is that an indication that we could have a report sooner than 18 months?