The rationalisation and concentration of services may be a good idea in some specialities, but vital maternity and accident and emergency departments, where time is of the essence in life-threatening situations, should not be among these. The removal of maternity, accident and emergency and other services from Mullingar would be dangerous and morally wrong. I ask the Tánaiste for a commitment to complete phase 2B of this essential development plan for the midlands. I hope she will give me assurances on the future of the Midland Regional Hospital in the Mullingar area. It is vitally important to get positive answers this evening and to send a message of assurance to the people of the Longford-Westmeath catchment area.