Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

The question relates to emergencies. There are six cases involved and one surgeon was put on temporary leave while being subject to investigation. As to emergency surgery there was one such procedure in every 24 hours and the decision was made to move that to a safe environment. There are reviews pending which involve the Royal College of Surgeons.

Regarding elective surgery, financial pressure points exist in that hospital and in other regions of the country, as the Deputy is well aware. We shall be debating that tonight, and I do not believe that hospital is mentioned. However, there are pressures and the HSE has to live within its budget. Deputy Reilly is the deputy leader of his party and I understand is committed to fiscal rectitude.

See this speech in context