Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am keen to see the plan as soon as possible, but it is important that adequate consultation is carried out and that those who wish to submit ideas will be given every opportunity to do so.

It might be helpful for Deputy Stanley to hear that a plan - The Future of Acute Services in the Midlands Regional Hospital, Portlaoise: The Local Stakeholder Perspective - was submitted to the HSE and the Department by Laois GPs and senior medical staff at Portlaoise hospital in September. That is another positive for the Deputy to take from today's discussion. I assure him that services at Portlaoise hospital are a priority for the Department, the Government and the Health Service Executive.

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