Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his reply and welcome his acceptance that Naas, Tullamore and Tallaght are already overstretched. The concern is that the acute medical unit may be used as a replacement for the emergency department. Being a medical person, the Minister will understand that these are two very different facilities.

I accept his point about the golden hour and stabilised patients. However, it is necessary to have an accident and emergency unit in the hospital because of the case I outlined earlier. To have the accident and emergency unit staffed properly with proper consultancy cover is important.

I am concerned about the grouping of emergency services among some of the Dublin hospitals. It has been done already with maternity services in Portlaoise, which people accepted. This is not blind parochialism. The case was made for this and the results so far have been good. That, along with the extra staff recruited to the maternity service, is a positive step.

The hospital needs new accommodation for its maternity unit. I accept that no final decision has been made. However, I do not want the Government dragging this process beyond the general election. We want this sorted. The situation with Abbeyleix hospital has been allowed to drag on for three years since the public consultation process ended. This cannot be allowed to happen with this hospital, as it is an important issue. I hope it is resolved quickly.

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