Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)

Fine Gael played a major role in getting services brought back on stream at Monaghan General Hospital. Both our party leader and Deputy Twomey were up there two days in a row trying to do something about the situation. No doubt, they will provide the extra beds, extra medical cards, the 1,500 consultants needed and an additional 1,500 convalescent beds. In their short two and a half years in Government, Fine Gael and Labour left a proud record of achievement in the health services and the economy generally. I have no doubt that they will do the same again, if given the mandate.

We hear a great deal about primary care teams and home help packages, but when one seeks such services in the Cavan-Monaghan region one does not find them. All areas have a right to fair play and no services, including hospital services, should be withdrawn from a region until a workable alternative is available. That is not happening, however, and it is a disgrace.

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