Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Everything will be done to resolve this and an independent inquiry will take place, but the one thing the people, particularly those in Ballinasloe and its surrounding area, need to hear the Minister state is the hospital will continue to deliver babies. A sad reality in Ireland in recent years, before the Minister took over, was that when a hospital cried for help because of staff shortages and being under pressure the type of thinking in senior management in the HSE has been to try to close it. This must change.

The front-line staff in the accident and emergency department in Portiuncula Hospital were under horrendous pressure last Christmas. That must be addressed. People, regardless of where they live in Ireland, deserve a health service. As well as ensuring that the inquiry will be independent, I urge the Minister to confirm that this hospital will continue to provide services and that its staff need not be wary or wondering about its continued operation. The wondering that is prevalent about it at present is not helpful in the situation.

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