Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I understand and appreciate the issues and we all acknowledge the HIQA report. I believe the Minister accepts that people locally welcome the improvements in the maternity services that have flown from the HIQA report. Essentially, we want the same level of determination to be shown to make the accident and emergency service safe. If the HSE and HIQA cannot stand over it being safe, the issue is to make it safe; the issue is not to close it, or close it for half of the day or half of the 24 hour period. The Minister will be aware that between 25% and one third of admissions to the accident and emergency department are paediatric cases as a result of the large paediatric unit, and the maternity services, in the hospital. To ensure that the hospital works fully, it is essential that it has permanent consultant cover. I do not believe there is a permanent consultant covering the accident and emergency department in Portlaoise and that is a central issue that must be addressed.

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