Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I share the Deputy's enthusiasm and happiness at the progress on the second cath lab. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, has worked very hard on that and I also recognise Deputy Shanahan's efforts. We had spoken during the last Dáil with local cardiologists. It has been a core focus and is in the programme for Government. It is very welcome for the people of Waterford.

It is clear we need a comprehensive ICT system for issues like this. The teams are using various different systems. They have linked them together as best they can. I met analysts and IT experts only yesterday to discuss putting a proposal together for a new system. That will probably not be used for our current response but we need to ensure we have something solid in place for the future. We will make progress on that.

I have appointed an expert group to examine rapid testing. I will launch its report later today. It will not surprise the Deputy that the report is supportive of more widespread rapid testing, as am I. We are putting those plans together now.

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