Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I checked with our head of services and was told there are 118, as of today. I sent the Minister of State a text and she came back to me to say she was giving figures for August. Why mislead the Taoiseach and, in turn, the House? The Taoiseach was trying to answer the question without the Minister of State misleading him. She also misled him last week with regard to St. Brigid's in Carrick-on-Suir. The Minister of State said she had met the committee but she had not. She met two members of the committee later that day outside the front door so that information was correct then. The Minister of State has been whispering untruths to the Taoiseach.

The Minister of State should have more respect for her electorate in Waterford and for those in south Tipperary who use St. Brigid's Hospital in Carrick-on-Suir. It is scandalous that the Minister of State would deliberately mislead them. I want her to correct the record. She texted me back to say that she checked and there are 118 waiting. When she rises to speak, the Minister of State should correct the record of the House. She should also correct it regarding what she said last week. It is disgraceful what has been done to the people of east Waterford, where the Minister of State lives, and to the people of south Tipperary and south Kilkenny. The hospital was closed. The Minister of State has a letter from an official. There was supposed to be a report. There was no report condemning the hospital. It was closed without any good reason. The Minister of State is now cobbling that up with a letter.

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