Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his forthright and frank presentation today and for his level of engagement with politicians on all sides of the House. He makes himself open and accessible and he listens. We might not always agree with his response but he certainly listens and takes matters on board. I agree with others who characterised the situation at the hospital as being extremely difficult for politicians in the region to accept. This situation has progressed for far too long and it undermines people's confidence in the hospital. As politicians, it is also our job not to overdramatise that to the extent that people will not attend. There is a balance to be struck between being forthright in trying to get the problem solved and not undermining confidence in the hospital. The Minister has set out a pathway for increased activity with additional resources and has identified the timeline for building. We will see some improvement on that.

I very much welcome the fact that the Minister has listened to us and to others on a review of the proposal for an additional model 3 hospital with an emergency department. I am sure I can speak for Deputy Lowry, Deputy Cathal Crowe and others when I say that we are all being approached about securing that for our own respective hospitals, whether St. John's, Nenagh or Ennis. Will the Minister give us some insight into the approach that will be taken and the factors that will inform the decision on the location?

There is clearly a cultural issue at UHL. The Minister has identified some of this as regards the uptake of the contract. It is a matter of public record that I have raised issues about leadership in the hospital. I refer not to one individual but to an issue across the senior management team and the leadership of the hospital. That needs to be looked at.