Dermot Fitzpatrick (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I should first declare an interest in this area. I have practised as a GP in the north inner city for many years and have seen amazing changes over the years from the time I studied as a medical student in the Mater Hospital and did my training in Dr. Steven's Hospital, a hospital alas that is no longer with us. It was one of the tragedies of medicine in Dublin that Dr. Steven's Hospital was closed for the want of £600,000, which even at that time was not a major deficit. However, the powers that be at the time thought they would close it and walk away with the Worth library. I note Deputy Durkan is nodding in agreement. That was a scandal at the time.

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