Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not think I have had an opportunity to congratulate the Minister on his elevation. The grass may be greener but I imagine it is just as difficult to cut on the other side. I want to bring up a matter that is within the remit of the Covid committee as it relates to hospital inpatient stays, elective days and hospital capacity. I refer to the issue of having a second catheterisation laboratory at University Hospital Waterford. We have seven cardiologists in the centre trying to access all of their patient schedules through a single cath lab. The Government has given a commitment in the programme for Government to develop a project. A tender will be issued in September and it will take four months to evaluate who the contract should be awarded to. It requires an Office of Government Procurement review. Will the Minister give a commitment to short-circuit that process? There is no need for it to take four months. This project is heading for two years and we have yet to award a grant of tender build.