Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I have two points to make in reply to Deputy Gilmore. Portlaoise hospital was mentioned previously. I am acquainted with the issues that arise there. It was as a result of what happened in that hospital that a need arose to provide eight centres of excellence for the provision of cancer care and triple assessment. I recall the debate in this House on that issue. The record will show what was said. I heard very many people argue for the retention of status quo in a debate in this House, even in the aftermath of what had happened in Portlaoise.

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