David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister's speech clearly sets out the work of the review group. The group has done a lot of research and has met with many stakeholders. Its members are visiting PCI centres in this State and internationally. I support the group's work because the decisions made will have to be underpinned by clinical evidence and good clinical governance. I asked for the Minister to give us an indication of when the group might conclude its work. There is urgency to this as it is a huge issue for people in the south east. There have been a large number of protests about the issue and, on the most recent occasion, 10,000 people took to the streets in the south east because they were fearful of not having the service.

I have never been alarmist about this issue and I am not going to raise people's fears. I did not promise to deliver it but to raise the issue as much as I can, in an honest and earnest way, to get the best outcome for the people who live in the south east. Those people will not, however, see anything in the Minister's reply on when the work will be complete. The work of the steering group is very extensive and welcome but it would be good if the Minister could follow up with a letter or some other indication as to when there might be an interim or, indeed, a final report. People are waiting for the recommendations and for a sense that this work will conclude. They are waiting to find out what services will be put in place in each region. I asked about a timeframe for delivery and it is no surprise to me that this was the one question that was not answered. That raises concerns for me so I respectfully ask the Minister of State to communicate some estimation of a timeframe for me.

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