Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

The group itself stated that it is not a question of resources, it is an issue of patient safety. An independent group of people who know far more than either the Deputy or myself, namely, the medical and surgical staff, with the Royal College of Surgeons, decided they did not believe, in the circumstances, that it was safe. I know that is disputed. The Deputy would rightly say to me that I would be entirely irresponsible to take action, ignoring the professional views of the Royal College of Surgeons, medics and medical and surgical consultants.

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