John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate the Tánaiste's response greatly. The one line that really gives me hope is his comment that the master plan for the development of the regional hospital in Galway will be a game-changer. It certainly will. Some of the preliminary works to enable it have started. Some of the outpatient services have moved to Merlin Park University Hospital and there are plans to move more services there to ensure we have a top-class facility for acute requirements and that we also have outpatient and elective services in Merlin Park University Hospital.

However, I ask that the Government look at a commitment under the social infrastructure aspect of the national development plan to make sure this master plan is fully developed and comes to fruition. My understanding is that the preliminary business case highlights that the annual financial contribution required will be 1% of the annual health budget over a ten-year period. We will see substantial benefit from that investment. It will give us the type of facility the Irish Cancer Society talks about in its pre-budget submission and reassure the patients of the west and north west.

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