Chris Andrews (Dublin South East, Fianna Fail)

The Opposition would make the same decision. It would not send family members to St. Luke's Hospital knowing that better, comprehensive and planned facilities and centres of excellence exist in St. James's Hospital and St. Vincent's Hospital. In the future, services will be transferred to St. James's Hospital, which will create an opportunity to provide community and step-down facilities on the grounds of St. Luke's Hospital.

I urge the Minister and will demand in time that she give a commitment that St. Luke's Hospital will not be sold off but will instead be used for community health care. Improvements and developments are taking place in the Adelaide and Meath Hospital, but there is a huge need for step-down and community care facilities in south Dublin. It is a core issue that the land and facilities of St. Luke's Hospital are not sold off. People, with the exception of the Opposition which believes it can score a few political points, generally accept that the transfer of services is in the best interest of patients.

I suppose our political views are often shaped by our personal experience. Like many families around the country who have been visited by cancer, my experience with cancer services has been extremely positive. I have also met many people who are unhappy with cancer services. There are gaps and challenges. Clearly, transportation and the transfer of patients to cancer services are required, but there is no magic wand. I strongly believe in and support the Minister, not blindly but in a positive and questioning way. I welcome the continued delivery of services in this country.

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