Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Let me move on to Ennis. The Joint Committee on Public Petitions received a petition on the issue. It would be wrong to say that the cause of the overcrowding was stated to be the fact that Limerick was the only model 4 hospital in the area and that there were no model 3 hospitals at Ennis, Nenagh and St. John's, or model 2 hospitals. However, it was referred to, which I believe is as far as could be gone given the remit. There is a growth in population in the mid-west, as there is elsewhere. In this regard, I understand a certain age cohort was discussed earlier at the committee meeting. Is there a need to revisit this issue? Is there a need for a model 3 hospital somewhere in the catchment area of UL Hospitals Group?