John Cregan (Limerick West, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to make a brief contribution to this important Private Members' debate. There was a time when many public representatives sat on health boards throughout the country. To be fair, when we were members of health boards, we felt obliged to protect our own patches. We felt it was our duty to do so. A change took place when it was felt that politicians should not be involved in making decisions such as that taken by the HSE in this instance. While many of us did not support that move, in fairness it has removed parochialism from the decision-making process. We have entrusted the HSE with the running of the health service and the development of our hospital network. I strongly feel that there is a responsibility on public representatives to ensure that all patients who present themselves at our hospitals enjoy good outcomes. There is an obligation on every Member of this House to support the development of surgical and emergency medicine. The Government's decision has been made on the basis of the best medical advice possible. The many highly regarded medical personnel who have been involved in making the decision to roll out the new strategy for the mid-west region should be given a chance. Similarly, the report should be given a chance.

All of us are concerned to ensure that the necessary resources are available in Limerick Regional Hospital to cope with additional demand when the new regime is in place. On the basis of what I have seen in the report and heard from the Minister, Deputy Harney, I do not doubt that the resources will be put in place before the system changes. While people are entitled to have genuine concerns, it is important for them to acknowledge the fact that additional resources will be put in place before additional demands are made of Limerick Regional Hospital. I welcome the commitment of the Minister and the HSE to ensuring that the additional resources and support services that are required will be put in place.

I am extremely proud of Limerick Regional Hospital and its staff. I have been in public life for many years. I accept that people have to lie on trolleys for a certain period of time, unfortunately, in hospitals throughout the country. I respectfully suggest that the alternative is to put a sign on the door of each hospital saying, "sorry, we are full". With the best will in the world, we cannot do that. By their nature, hospitals will always have enough patients to fill their beds, regardless of how many they have. It is a difficult situation. As one cannot put a "full house" sign on the door, the next best thing one can do is provide trolleys for people to lie on. We would all prefer if that were not the case. With the exception of such cases, I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of complaints my constituents have made to me about the treatment they have received in Limerick Regional Hospital. The hospital is absolutely second to none. On nights like tonight, we should recognise the contribution the hospital's staff members are making. We often take such matters for granted rather than giving the praise that is deserved.

I will be somewhat parochial by mentioning two recent developments in St. Ita's Hospital in Newcastle West, which is the only hospital in my constituency. The matron and staff of this fine geriatric hospital deserve the height of praise for the manner in which they perform their duties. Fortunately, in recent times, two capital projects at the hospital — a special dedicated Alzheimer's unit and a special dedicated hospice unit, which will operate in conjunction with Milford Hospice — have been sanctioned. I call on the Minister to ensure that these two tremendous facilities are opened at the earliest possible date. I welcome the appointment of a clinical nurse manager at the hospital. I welcome the confirmation that a person is in place to carry out the manager's duties. It is important to drive ahead with the opening of the facilities I have mentioned.

I fully support the Government's amendment to the Fine Gael motion. I understand that the changes at the hospitals mentioned in the motion will be implemented step by step. The hospitals in question, both of which play an important role for the people they serve, will not be closed or downgraded tomorrow.

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