Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Mercy University Hospital, Cork, is an important acute general hospital that provides a range of health services to more than 100,000 patients each year. Last year the hospital celebrated its 150th anniversary and it has unveiled an ambitious amalgamation project with the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, which is also located in Cork city. The hospital, therefore, has a bright future.

The HSE completed a new state-of the-art accident and emergency unit at the hospital 12 months ago at a cost of almost €5 million, yet tonight the unit lies idle. Staff of the hospital are doing the best they can in the difficult environment of the present accident and emergency unit, which is not equipped to a modern standard. Deputy Coveney raised this issue on the Adjournment last October but, sadly, it remains unresolved. The reason I raise the issue tonight is to exert pressure on the HSE——

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