My concern is with the situation at Mullingar Regional Hospital and how the report, including report No. 149, which the Department of Health and Children plans to publish after the local elections, will affect this vital facility for the Midland Health Board area. Its future status has supposedly been assured under phase 2B of the midland region's hospitals. The people of this area need assurances that the development of Mullingar Hospital will go ahead despite the report. Mullingar Hospital has 203 beds and the number is to increase to 311 under phase 2B. There are 25 consultants attached to the hospital and 202 full-time nursing personnel. There were 1,850 births in the hospital in 2002, with upwards of 1,900 forecast for this year. The accident and emergency department treated 29,000 patients in 2002 and this figure is expected to increase to more than 30,000 this year. In-patient numbers for 2002 were more than 13,000.