Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

Before the general election we had a major issue with Dundalk hospital. The Minister for Health and Children went to Dundalk — I was there with the others — and amid much fanfare and with the media present launched the CAT scan service. Everybody believed at the time that it was a significant development and that the service would be fully operational immediately. However, this was a political PR stunt which misled the people of County Louth and, more particularly, the people of Dundalk about this service. I find it unacceptable that the Minister states a full service will be available "at an early date". That is not good enough. The people were misled by the way the Minister opened the CAT scan service in such a public and open manner. Is she not ashamed of herself?

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