David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have two more quick questions and I will finish then. One is for Professor Landers and the other for Dr. Kilgallen. Addressing Professor Landers on the issue of elective-only hospitals, this is something I support and will have an impact in reducing waiting times but it is not a substitute for investing in elective capacity in other hospitals in the State. Professor Landers is based in the south east and others will give examples across other regions. How important is it as we move to elective-only hospitals - the point was also made by our first questioner as to whether there should be beds as part of those hospitals - to stress that it cannot be a substitute for increased capacity for electives in other acute hospitals, especially regional hospitals?