Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 31 to discuss the following specific and important matter of public interest requiring urgent attention, namely, the need for the Government to approve the planning brief for the Tuam hospital so that a community hospital, ambulance base and ancillary accommodation can be provided on the Tuam health campus. The submission from the Western Health Board seeking approval for the community hospital has been gathering dust on the desk of the Minister for Health and Children since 8 October 2002 and has not been approved. As a result, the locked-up hospital continues to deteriorate resulting in a waste of public funds which were invested to purchase the property with the approval of the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin.

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