Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----but there is a long way to go yet in that regard.

On the MPUH issue, the Deputy will be aware that, very sadly and unfortunately, the Galway hospice planning application for Merlin Park was refused.

As such, Merlin Park as a solution for new hospital developments must be considered in the light of planning problems at the site where planning permission for the hospice has just been refused. To answer the Deputy's specific question, a vendor has been selected for the project and contracts have been exchanged between the parties.

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