Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I would prefer if the Minister, Deputy Martin, was present to respond to some of the issues I will raise during this debate. I mean no disrespect to the Minister of State, Deputy O'Malley, who has more responsibilities in the Department than I had when I held that office between 1987 and 1989.

In 1968 the famous Fitzgerald report was published. It was compiled by a group of consultants who decided that Roscommon County Hospital should become a community health centre. The man who commissioned that report was the former Deputy and Minister, Seán Flanagan, whose car crashed in Tarmonbarry and whose life was saved in the accident and emergency department of Roscommon County Hospital by the surgeon, Mr. O'Hanrahan. The former Minister realised then the benefits of having an acute hospital nearby and the policy was changed. The 1970 Act was passed.