Francis O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Seán Power, to the House to discuss this sad event. I thank the Leader of the House, the Tánaiste and the Minister of State for arranging to have this debate, which was called for yesterday, at such short notice. I express my sincere sympathy to Mr. Walsh's family and his extended family. His family has suffered much grief since Mr. Walsh passed away. We know at this stage that this man's life could have been saved if the restrictions which did not allow the medical profession to perform the operation on him had not been in place at Monaghan General Hospital. That is bad enough for the family members in these tragic circumstances but the revelation that beds were available must add to the family's grief at this sad time.

I welcome the announcement by the Tánaiste that an inquiry will take place into the incident and I hope answers can be given to the Walsh family. I was instrumental in organising a meeting with the Taoiseach and the hospital alliance group last Friday night to hear their concerns. It was stressed to the Taoiseach that surgical procedures should be dealt with as people present to the hospital. I hope this can be agreed without delay.

The problems with Monaghan General Hospital stem from it being taken off call for surgical cases. Had the hospital been on call for surgical cases, the personnel would have been available to treat Pat Joe Walsh when he presented. Certainly his death would not have taken place when it did. Unfortunately the hospital has had ongoing problems for some considerable time. It is the view of the people of Monaghan that they should be entitled to acute surgical services when they need it. Unfortunately this is not the case at present.

In addition to the death of Pat Joe Walsh, numerous other unfortunate incidents have occurred in the past two or three years. Nothing has been done and we need something to be done immediately. This cannot continue. Following the last death and the previous one we made the same case that Monaghan General Hospital should be on call for full medical and surgical services for the people of County Monaghan. They are entitled to nothing less. Where the necessary skills are not available an arrangement must be reached with the other hospitals in the region and, if necessary, outside the region to ensure no patient is denied a bed when needed. Now that the Health Service Executive is in place I hope it will ensure the necessary arrangements and services are put in place in Monaghan General Hospital to cater for the needs of the people of Monaghan.

I again sympathise with the Walsh family. This was a tragic and untimely death in the circumstances. Unfortunately nothing we say in this House will bring back the life of Pat Joe Walsh. At this late stage I beg the Minister of State to ensure that the services that Monaghan General Hospital requires are provided for the people of Monaghan.