Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assure the Deputy that I was taken aback by one aspect of the script when I was reading it on behalf of the Minister. The Deputy mentioned that the report was received last September. I think there is some justification for some of the issues he has raised. There is nothing as bad as a hospital and its patients being left with uncertainty. I promise the Deputy that I will do my utmost to allay his frustrations and concerns regarding the services at Portlaoise hospital. I hope the Minister for Health will come back to the Deputy as soon as possible. I will emphasise to him that a decision on this matter is needed as soon as possible. Maybe he will correspond with the Deputy on the matter at a personal level. I cannot provide any other information because I do not have it in front of me.

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