The Government promised that €57 million was ring-fenced for the development of the hospital. The shell was opened in 1997 by the former Minister for Health, Deputy Noonan. The control plan was signed off by the members late last year and I understand it is going to the Department of Health and Children next week. More than 40% of all accident and emergency cases in the Midland Health Board area are treated in Mullingar Hospital. It is totally impractical to think that, despite Government assurances for its expansion and development, this medical hub for the midlands could conceivably be downgraded to local cottage hospital status. Let us not pull any punches here. The real issue here relates to people's lives. Proximity and quality of service are of paramount importance in medical emergencies.