Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to have a chance to say a few words in relation to Navan hospital, which we are all proud of and lucky to have in Navan. As a Navan person who attended the hospital many times in my years growing up, I have no doubt that we are lucky to have it and it has saved thousands of lives. The people in it are excellent and provide a top-class service in many areas. However, we have to have an honest debate about our hospital. People ask if we are concerned. Of course I am concerned for Navan hospital. I want the best services in Meath, in Navan and for the people I represent, and to be honest with them. I commend the motion because it asks for the best health service. It has not gone overly political in terms of emotion. Some speeches around it might be different but the ask is the same as what Senator Cassells, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, and I want. We want the best health service for the people we represent, both in government and opposition. I have always held that view, in government and opposition, and will not change it.

We have to tease through what is the best for Navan and the people we represent in Meath. They want the best service, including my family who have gone there for years at all ages looking for service. The staff that work there provide a top-class service. The debate has to be based on medical evidence. It is not about politics or marches. We must listen to both sides because there is medical opinion on both sides. Let us have that honest debate and honest conversation. I thank the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, for stepping in on more than one occasion to pause these proposals and say "No. Let's tease this out. Let's work this out first of all. Let's see is it genuinely the right proposal or is it not." As a Teachta Dála and Minister of State for the area, I have many questions I want to be answered and teased out. I want assurances on capacity and everything else. We will tease them out.

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