Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

The service is available to my family if we need it and to the Deputy's family if he needs it, as well as his constituents. If the Minister is looking for a location, we have about 25 acres attached to Roscommon County Hospital and I would support a decision to make that location available for any further expansion of the health services, whether private or public. It would be very welcome.

I compliment the Minister for her innovation in the health portfolio. She has had five good years in it and I look forward to five more progressive years. I have no doubt that the success behind her will be doubled by the time she finishes the job. She has set out a very clear agenda which is becoming very apparent. I am glad the consultants have had the common sense to go back into discussions with her and are now prepared to enter into new contracts. I was glad she took the initiative in announcing new posts. Sometimes people in government must take decisions and she is one who does this. I am glad to support her decisions on issues that should have been dealt with many years ago.

Vested interests in the health services have been a major problem and a block on services to the public over many years. I am glad the Minister is taking on the vested interests and looking to the customers who come from the public. The vested interests must take second place.

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