Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are in injury time. I wish the Taoiseach the very best of luck in his new role as this is the first opportunity I have had to do so.

The programme for Government mentions the issue of catheterisation facilities in Waterford, which came up yesterday. What plans does the Taoiseach have for percutaneous coronary intervention, PCI, for the north west? There is a population of approximately 250,000 people in the catchment of Sligo University Hospital, as it is now known. The people there cannot time their cardiac arrests or heart attacks in line with good weather for air transportation to a centre nor can we wait for roads to be done up so that we can avail of that 90-minute turnaround time. Mortality from cardiac instances in the north west is a serious issue. I understand there are currently no plans for PCI in that part of the country. Given that the Taoiseach is a physician, and given his in his new role, what does the Taoiseach propose to do for that region?

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