James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

The Green Party was not in Government at the time with Fianna Fáil, but many decisions on the national spatial strategy were taken in the famous Galway tent. There was very little debate in this House on the strategy. There is a view among the public that we got it wrong on the strategy. For example, I served on the Midland Health Board and there was never a whimper of a new hospital for Tullamore at the time. An upgrading of the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar was agreed as the hub for the midlands when the hospital in Longford was closed. When he was Minister for Health and Children and Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen waved the magic wand and decided that he wanted that facility in Tullamore. The north midland area has suffered since then because services are constantly being withdrawn from the hospital in Mullingar.

Last year in this Chamber I highlighted the fact that there was a phantom consultant dermatologist in place, and people were being conned-----

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