Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

Everyone must acknowledge that there is a real problem in the health service in dealing with the difficulties people are encountering. The public's real concern is that it is being told over a long period of time by the Government that change is due following the publication of a variety of reports. This change has not occurred despite the plethora of reports. I acknowledge that bringing about change is difficult.

I wish to highlight the crisis which has developed in South Tipperary General Hospital over the last ten years. A split service has been run on a Cashel-Clonmel site. If the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children does one thing in the next capital programme, it should be give the constituency I represent a service that has been promised by successive Governments over the last number of years. I know she understands the desperate situation and that many have made pleas to her.

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