Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Significantly, this day a year ago, I was obliged, along with my colleagues, to bring a motion to implement the national maternity strategy, which the Government accepted on the day. That motion arose from the concerns of the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, at the failure to implement the national maternity strategy, notwithstanding that we were halfway through the strategy. Imagine my horror when learning this week that in the local maternity hospital in Galway city, St. Monica's ward is closed and appears to be closed for three weeks. The major gynaecology ward in the hospital is closed for three weeks without explanation.

That ward deals with patients with cervical cancer and all the other gynaecological problems. I am bringing it to the Minister's attention that I have not had an answer to my queries on this issue. I would appreciate if he could find out why the ward was closed, what is happening with it and when it will be reopened.

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