Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for selecting this item and the Minister of State for coming to the House to respond. I wish to share my time with Deputy Wall.

When the Labour Party was last in government, it sanctioned in 1996 the redevelopment of Naas General Hospital. There have been major improvements at the hospital since in all aspects of the delivery of health services to the people of County Kildare. The final phase of the redevelopment of the hospital includes the provision of two additional 31-bed wards, additional physiotherapy and occupational services facilities and a catering unit for 255 patients and 800 staff. The final phase was to commence construction in 2004 but Government funding was not forthcoming. In 2005, when the HSE sought permission to seek tenders for the project, the Government did not give the required approval. The go-ahead was given in 2007. A lengthy tender process was undertaken and late that year a tender report was forwarded to the capital section of the HSE with a recommendation on the appointment of the preferred contractor. The board of the HSE met on 14 February this year and the draft capital plan for 2008 which has been submitted to the Minister for Health and Children does not include phase 3C. The plan requires the approval of the Minister and the Department of Finance.

We have now had four years of Government promises. On Monday of this week there were 16 patients on trolleys in Naas General Hospital; on Tuesday, 31; on Wednesday, 23, and today, 21. Nobody deserves to be treated in such an undignified manner. The provision of additional hospital beds under phase 3C would eliminate this practice. I, therefore, call on the Minister to change the draft capital plan for 2008 and include the final phase of the redevelopment of Naas General Hospital.

It is obvious that the Government which is preoccupied by tribunals and an internal leadership struggle has taken its eye off the ball. The economy is floundering as a result. As usual, the people who will suffer most are those most in need. While the Government gives tax breaks to its friends for private hospitals for the rich, ordinary citizens are left on trolleys in public areas of Naas General Hospital. There seems to be plenty of money available to support the Government's rich pals.

I state clearly that the Labour Party will campaign until this decision is reversed. I call on my constituency colleagues on the Government side of the House to support my campaign and that of Deputy Wall. Before the general election last May, the Government promised that phase 3C, the final phase of the redevelopment of Naas General Hospital, would proceed. It is time to put up or shut up.

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