Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

On promised legislation and in light of the disclosure yesterday that the bowel cancer screening programme is to be postponed for another six months, one of the main issues that has been raised is the inability of hospitals to do colonoscopies. I understand that 2,500 people are waiting for a colonoscopy. In the context of No. 86, on the licensing of health care facilities, when will the legislation be introduced? State-of-the-art theatres and staff are lying idle at Roscommon County Hospital and they could be used to carry out those procedures, deal with the backlog and take away the fear from people who are waiting for colonoscopies. Will the Taoiseach intervene to ensure this work takes place in Roscommon?

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