Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to the House. For the last several years Cavan and Monaghan general hospitals have been constantly in the national media spotlight and the subject of continuous unwarranted negative publicity. On Wednesday, 29 September, counties Cavan and Monaghan received welcome news from the then Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, when he announced that 24 hour, seven days a week medical cover was to be restored to Monaghan General Hospital with the recruitment of five new junior doctors. A larger emergency room will be opened on a 24 hour, seven days a week basis in Monaghan from the beginning of February 2005. Up to 19 additional beds are to be provided at Cavan General Hospital and ten additional beds immediately at Monaghan General Hospital. Three new surgical posts for the joint departments of surgery between the two hospitals will be recruited.

Cavan General Hospital was officially opened in 1989 at a cost of £16.3 million. Since then it has served County Cavan and parts of the surrounding counties of Leitrim, Monaghan, Meath, Longford and Westmeath. However, both hospitals have received negative and unfair publicity. I am anxious that the former Minister's proposals are implemented as soon as possible to help strengthen public confidence in both hospitals. Staff of both hospitals are some of the finest and I want to see them fully resourced to use their skills and experience to the best of their abilities. I ask the Minister of State to ensure that these changes are introduced as soon as possible.

I know he will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the people of counties Cavan and Monaghan and the wider catchment area have the range and availability of health services to which they are entitled. The provision of adequate health services for counties Cavan and Monaghan has been continually raised by the Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food, Deputy Brendan Smith, and Senator O'Brien. I know they support the implementation of the September proposals.

This afternoon, with the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Smith, I attended a meeting with the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. We had a very positive meeting with her. I am convinced she and the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, are fully committed to delivering on the proposals set out on 29 September this year with the former Minister. I look forward to the Minister of State's reply.