Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Burke who has been on the case about the need for an elective hospital and better capacity in Cork for some time. We have included the project in the capital plan but the Senator is rightly putting us under pressure to make sure that the preparatory work, in terms of sites and so on, is done quickly so that we do not have a gulf between now and the significant capital coming on stream. In the interests of time, I will ask the CEO to revert to the Senator in writing. We are eager to ensure - and I know that Mr. Reid shares this view - the process is inclusive of the bodies to which the Senator referred. We will revert to the Senator in writing if that is acceptable to Mr. Reid.