John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Like the previous speakers, including my colleague from Waterford, Deputy Ciara Conway, I remind the Minister of State that an estimated 15,000 people came onto the streets of Waterford last Saturday to protest at what they believe to be the latest attack on the city of Waterford. The 15,000 men, women and children had one thing in mind: to send a clear message to the Minister of State and the Government that they will not tolerate an end to the south eastern hospital network that could lead to the services being transferred to Cork. We will not tolerate an erosion of our hospital services to serve a political agenda focused on severe cuts in the health system. The Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, has confirmed that no decision has been made yet on the issue.

However, the dogs in the street seem to believe the Government's expert group is recommending a break-up of the south-east hospital network. It is crucial that the full spectrum of health services remain in place, not only for those living in Waterford but for the 500,000 residents of the south east. Any change in the current system would have major health consequences, not to mention an adverse economic impact on a region already devastated by one of the highest unemployment rates in the country and the obvious lack of investment by the Government and its predecessor.

At an earlier meeting which all of the Deputies from the south east and members of the medical profession right across the region attended the Secretary General and the Minister gave a commitment, but we want to hear it made in the Dáil. They gave a commitment that essential and acute services such as cancer care, cardiology and severe trauma services would not be affected. What ordinary men, women and children on the streets of Waterford wanted to know on Saturday was whether that would be the case. While the Minister and the Secretary General have said this, we want to hear it from the Minister and the place to hear it is in the Dáil.

See this speech in context