Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

This a serious issue about which I am not in any way complacent. In fairness to the Minister, she has brought forward a systematic response to those issues and phenomena in the health service.

On the question of the microbiologist post specific to Loughlinstown hospital, I cannot say if that specific area will be addressed but the changes in the consultants' contract provide the opportunity, over time, to move towards a consultant-provided service rather than the current consultant-led service.

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