Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Dáil shall sit until 6.45 p.m. to allow for statements and questions in regard to the latest catastrophe that has befallen us in the area of health. Yesterday we had priority questions and statements and comments in the House about the situation whereby X-rays were not read by radiologists in Tallaght hospital, with the possibility that a small number of those may have a significant impact on patient medical health. We now understand that this situation is far worse, with reports of thousands of letters unopened from GPs in referral of patients to consultants in Tallaght hospital. This goes beyond the reading of X-rays by radiologists. These referrals may refer to much more serious or prevalent conditions for those concerned. For example, they could refer to bowel cancer, cardiac conditions, analysis in respect of tumours-----

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