Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In 2016, the Taoiseach stood in the grounds of University Hospital Waterford and pledged that he and his party would deliver 24/7 cardiac care to the people of the south east. In recent days, he and his Minister for Health took a significant step in honouring that pledge by committing funding to a cardiac catheter lab at University Hospital Waterford. I thank the Taoiseach for that step, which he and I have discussed many times. Now I ask that he finish the journey.

First, will he commit his office's oversight of and support for the immediate recruitment of the cardiology team required to open this second cath lab? Second, will he commit the HSE to expand funding to provide a 24-7 cardiac care service for the south east once that new laboratory is operational? In so doing, he will restore the faith of 500,000 people in a politician's promise, and in the promise of a Fianna Fáil Taoiseach.

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