Michael Finneran (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I am glad the Minister was able to put them on the record tonight so the Irish public can know the exact situation.

The Opposition has played a political game on the issue of private beds and hospital co-location. Everybody knows it is inappropriate for people to have the use of public funds and private beds in public hospitals at the expense of ordinary taxpayers. Somebody had to address the matter and I am glad that the Minister, Deputy Harney, was the person to do so.

With regard to my own patch, I have heard it said that cancer services ceased in Roscommon County Hospital within the past few days. In fact, cancer services were taken away from the hospital more than one and a half years ago. Clearly, people only woke up to that recently.

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