Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the fact that the last remaining in-patient beds at St. Mary's orthopaedic hospital in Cork are to close. This is the only hospital on the northside of Cork city. I call on the HSE to retain full control of the grounds of the hospital so that it can be used as a health facility into the future. The sale of any section of the land for retail or commercial development would be a backward step and would interfere with the integrity of St. Mary's hospital as a long-term health facility. I also call on the HSE to put in place a mechanism to engage with the 220 staff affected by this decision to ensure there will be no job losses and that all personnel will be meaningfully redeployed to specific roles in the health service.

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