Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Hold on Deputy McGrath. They called Frank Feighan a liar. I believe that in the past two weeks, those people should hang their heads in shame because I did not lie and have never lied in my life. I told the truth but what will come out in three or four years' time or even in three or four months' time? The hospital is ready to seek planning permission for the endoscopy unit. Deputy McGrath should come down and he and I will talk about Roscommon hospital eventually. I will take great pleasure in ensuring that patients in County Roscommon, as well as in Roscommon town, will be safer than was the case two years ago. This is and will be the truth, which is a simple fact that will be put on the record of this House. The endoscopy unit will receive planning permission in the next week or so. Moreover, one should remember there is in place both an air ambulance and paramedics. Lives are being saved and that is what the Government will do.

I will turn to a few other issues that have been discussed. Many people have spoken of how the elderly must be protected. I accept this and appreciate that Deputy Mattie McGrath has given me space to be heard because, while I digress a little, unfortunately what happens in respect of turf cutting, health and so on is there is absolute and complete hysteria. Everyone can appear on local radio or in the newspapers and everyone can write a letter but, ultimately, I speak as a Government Deputy who must deliver patient safety and the future of health services in a county that is very annoyed, and rightly so, but the truth will win out. The issue of fuel was mentioned and a few weeks ago I raised an issue in this House and around the country in respect of a European Union judgment pertaining to Irish pensioners living in Ireland who have a United Kingdom pension or who have some work-related link with the United Kingdom. Any person who was born before 1 July 1951 is now entitled to claim for the United Kingdom's fuel allowance.

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