Eugene Murphy (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have congratulated most of the Minister's team on their appointments but I wish him well. Gan dabht, is jab an-deacair é d'aon duine bheith ina Aire Sláinte ag an am seo ach tá mé cinnte go mbeidh an tAire ina Aire Sláinte maith le linn an Rialtais seo. The very best of luck.

I welcome the reply to the question but I ask the Minister to ensure that all the appointments to which he referred will happen in the coming months. Portiuncula University Hospital is a very important part of the health system in the Roscommon-Galway constituency. Not only does it look after patients from Roscommon-Galway, it takes them from Clare, Offaly and other adjoining counties. Ever since the closure of the accident and emergency department at Roscommon University Hospital, it is even more important that all the services available at Portiuncula are retained and upgraded. I ask the Minister to make every effort to ensure that the appointments to which he referred will be made in the coming months because they are essential for the future of the hospital.

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