Cathy Bennett (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The people of Monaghan and Cavan deserve adequate health services and care within their community. In 2002, the Taoiseach, as Minister for Health and Children, refused to give a commitment to protect emergency department services at Monaghan hospital at that crucial time. In 2009, the hospital's emergency department was closed for good. The minor injuries unit lacks basic equipment. As a result, people in Monaghan are referred to Cavan hospital, where they face double the waiting time they previously faced, which can be eight hours up to 24 hours.

Does the Taoiseach accept he was wrong to strip emergency department services from Monaghan hospital? Will he deliver the investment that is needed to address this failure and stop the backlogs that are happening in Cavan hospital?

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