Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The publication of the HSE plan today superseded much of this debate. Nonetheless, as the Minister of State has said, to facilitate the new building, the current ambulance service needs to be relocated. It is important to identify a temporary site that is fit for purpose. When it goes back to the permanent structure, that again must be fit for purpose.

When will the HSE draft plan be adopted as the final plan for 2020? While I appreciate the Minister of State will not have the facts and figures to hand, I ask him to revert to me or have the relevant departmental officials revert to me with the specific timeframe. If any lessons are to be learned from other State contracts, it is the need to put specific timeframes on contracts so that they will come in on time and within budget. While we need to ensure we have the services servicing our constituents, we also need to ensure we get value for money. I ask for officials to come back to me with a detailed reply with the specifics on costings and timeframes.

We have been waiting for a long time. The community did invaluable work in fundraising the €950,000. Our side of the bargain has been met. We want to ensure that there is no time delay and that the final phases are accelerated so that patients can be treated before the end of 2020.

See this speech in context