James Breen (Clare, Independent)

Does the Deputy believe there are no waiting lists for operations or beds, or that operations are not being cancelled? Is no one waiting for a consultant's appointment? Last week, a constituent of mine who suffers from severe diabetes was sent to Limerick Regional Hospital to see a neurologist before being sent home without being seen. Limerick Regional Hospital does not have a neurologist which means one must come from County Kerry two days every month to serve the mid-west region. Is this the health service of which we are proud?

We have endured a long saga with Ennis General Hospital. Before the 2002 general election, the then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, stated on a visit to my constituency that an upgraded hospital was so far advanced in the planning and design stages that it would shortly be advertised for tender in the European journal. The four Oireachtas Members from the Government side met the Taoiseach about 18 months ago without asking me or my namesake, Deputy Pat Breen, to accompany them because they wanted to deliver an upgraded hospital in Ennis on their own. What happened after the meeting? The Members hurried home because the Taoiseach instilled in them such confidence about the project that they were afraid it would commence before they arrived in Ennis, with the result that they would not have an opportunity to announce it on Clare FM or in The Clare Champion. Nothing has happened since.

We were informed by a Senator that the Minister assured him the team would proceed to the tender and planning stages in July 2006. The date was changed first to late October 2006. It is now early spring of 2007. When will Ennis General Hospital be upgraded? The election will be long over but I am hopeful I will be here to see the project delivered.

We do not want any more waffle from the Minister or the Taoiseach. The truth is not being told in the House. The Government has tried to hoodwink people. East Clare does not have a 24-hour accident and emergency service and Loop Head, 60 miles from Ennis, does not have an air helicopter service. We have been promised both services. While this is grand on paper when will we see them in reality? Is it surprising that the people of County Clare have lost confidence in the Government? When will Ennis General Hospital be upgraded? Will the Hanly report be implemented? Will Ennis retain its 24-hour doctor-led accident and emergency service? I doubt it. The Government has failed the people, including the people of County Clare. They will continue to fail while in power but, hopefully, we will be on the Government benches after the election and we will bang them out of the place.

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