Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

I wish to deal with two sections of this important motion, namely, the unnecessary death of Mr. Patrick Walsh and the deep public anger over the hundreds of millions of euro that are being wasted.

I deplore the fact that the modern theatre and top quality staff at Monaghan General Hospital are not being fully utilised. Some Ministers have accused those of us who raised the tragic death of Mr. Walsh of doing it for political reasons, as if to make out that we have no right to highlight the ongoing mismanagement of the health system in County Monaghan and the north east region. The Taoiseach refused to admit in the House that staff and consultants in the hospital could not have operated on Mr. Walsh because of the protocols in place. He knew he was wrong. He and the Tánaiste must not hide any longer. They must give the same commitment to Monaghan General Hospital as they have given to the hospitals in Ennis and Nenagh.

Mr. Walsh should never have been moved from Drogheda but when he was in Monaghan there should have been freedom to act. Surgical procedures in Monaghan General Hospital must be brought back on-call. How can the Government justify the failure to utilise the new modern theatre and top quality consultants and staff at Monaghan General Hospital? Before the hospital was taken off-call in questionable circumstances, it was carrying out contract surgery for patients north of the Border. The decision to close was taken by non-consultant executives. All surgeons in Monaghan and Cavan have asked that Monaghan General Hospital would be brought back on-call for surgery. All consultants in Monaghan General Hospital have made the same request.

In 1939 my own mother and her premature newborn baby boy were both rushed to the then Monaghan hospital with a 40% chance of survival. Both were saved by an excellent staff 66 years ago.

Where is the Celtic tiger for Monaghan General Hospital and the people of Monaghan? Some of the €150 million that was lost on an IT project would benefit it. Even the €3 million spent on photocalls for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, could save lives there. The National Treatment Purchase Fund has the freedom to spend money as it wishes. Why is the equipment in Monaghan General Hospital not utilised?

Last, but by no means least, 100,000 people are no longer eligible for medical cards and cuts have been made in the home help scheme. That is the current state of the health system.

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