Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

In 2009, then Sinn Féin TD for Cavan-Monaghan Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin described Fianna Fáil's closure of the accident and emergency department at Monaghan Hospital as a "mortal" blow for the people of Monaghan. He warned that lives "will undoubtedly be put at risk" as they then had to travel for up to an hour to Cavan hospital. The average wait time at Cavan hospital's accident and emergency department this year is more than eight hours, nearly double the 4.4-hour wait time in 2015. The situation is worsening every single year. With the best will and staff in the world, the minor injuries unit can only do so much. The people of Monaghan want to see the services, that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael cut, restored. Will the Taoiseach finally admit that Fianna Fáil was wrong to take away the accident and emergency department? Will the Government invest to deliver services at Monaghan hospital that the community deservedly needs?

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