Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Which politicians opposed the redundancy package? Was it Fianna Fáil or the Progressive Democrats because they were obviously in government?

Concerning the Minister's speed in denigrating the staff and services at Portlaoise Genereal Hospital, did she know when she took up office that the hospital was a designated centre of excellence? If so, why did she not accept it? Is she aware that in 2001 the then Minister for Health and Children said there would not be two centres of excellence in the Midland Health Board area but one developed at Portlaoise Genereal Hospital?

Why was no oncology job advertised between 11 April 2001 and 2004? These were the crucial three years in which the Department sat on the vacancy. Will the Minister accept that it was the consistent and deliberate starving of cash in a conspiracy between the Midland Health Board and the Department that resulted in the debacle at Portlaoise? Will she arrange for publication of the seven letters written by Dr. Peter Naughton to the Department and managers of the health board? Until such time as they are published, the full and true story will not be known.

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