Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

-----the opposition to reconfiguration will come from that side of the House where so far, the casualties of reconfiguration have arisen. The Minister does not need to worry about those of us on this side at all. At the very least we are obligated to hold people to account for the commitments they make during elections and the formation of Governments. This Government's start to date has not been great.

Cork was mentioned. I defended the reconfiguration of hospital services in Cork while in Government and I will defend them today, but I never slouched around Cork city making empty promises. The people of Cork were given a solemn commitment to the effect that orthopaedic services would remain with St. Mary's Orthopaedic Hospital.

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