Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I certainly acknowledge that delivery is on the way. I thank the Taoiseach for that. I point out, however, that the south east still cannot see whether it is getting a fair share of capital funding. In fact, Deputies essentially vote on a black box when it comes to the €10 billion capital allocation. It is a message for the Government that people throughout the country need to see this fairness and transparency, especially those regions that have not enjoyed the same recovery as Dublin, the south west, mid-west and west.

Above all, for me and the people of the south east, cardiac care will tell the tale of the performance of this Government. I again wrote to Professor Philip Nolan at the weekend outlining both the cardiac transfer data over the past three years out of University Hospital Waterford and the findings of the National Office of Clinical Audit report, which shows only 5% of patients are getting out of the south-east region when the Waterford cath lab centre is closed.

As his final gift in his tenure, will the Taoiseach deliver on foot of Professor Nolan's report? All the evidence points to the south east needing to be brought in line with other regions. We need 24-7 care delivered as per the promise given in 2016. If that happens, I will say, maith thú

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