Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)

I wish to seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to discuss the following matter of urgent national importance, namely, to allow the Minister for Health - or should I say ill health - and Children to outline to the Dáil how she will avoid a medical catastrophe on 1 July when all acute medical provision is due to be withdrawn from the Louth County Hospital, Dundalk, and transferred to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, which is already grossly overcrowded and struggling to cope with patient numbers. Is she planning to consult the Medical Council and other health authorities to avert this pending health care nightmare for people in the north east and Dundalk in particular? Will she clarify urgently what steps she is proposing to take in this regard? It is important that she is aware that the Government cannot continue trying to pass the buck to the HSE and claiming something that will deal a death knell to the area of the Ceann Comhairle and me is not her policy. It is unacceptable and I hope the Ceann Comhairle will allow a debate on this matter.

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