Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for responding but not for her response. We are very proud of the service that has been provided at Letterkenny University Hospital and I pay tribute to all of those who are involved. However, they are under serious pressure. Until Deputy Pringle and I received this letter, we were of the view that it was only a matter of time before the appointment of a breast surgeon to Letterkenny University Hospital. Then we are told that there would be a locum from May until we do not know when. Now we are told the situation is being reassessed. This is a U-turn. I make the charge against the then Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, and his Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, who announced the post weeks before the election. There was no sincerity there. Both must stand up and tell the people of Donegal why they deceived them. These are the people we represent and we are not going to accept this. We want to ensure the Government fulfils its commitment on this post. We talk about numbers and outputs but it is no different to any other part of the State. We believe Donegal to be a special place - it is a special place and it deserves this recognition. All I ask is for the Government to deliver on its commitment.

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