Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The most important thing is that we get moving and stop talking about what may happen in the future. I think we are both agreed on that. Do we need more operating theatres, outpatient facilities and day case facilities? Yes, we do. The question the Deputy is asking is whether, as well as that, we need more inpatient beds. The answer is that we certainly do, and they must be provided. The question then is whether they should be provided as part of what is meant to be an elective-only centre. The view from the Sláintecare team is there is a risk that if patients are in inpatient beds, this could potentially stop the flow through the operating theatres. For example, there is a new unit in Tallaght University Hospital, the Reeves Centre-----