Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I must raise a serious issue which affects the women of Longford-Westmeath, namely, the closure of the breast cancer unit at the Midland Regional Hospital in Mullingar. This is the most scandalous thing to have happened to our area in a long time. I am in favour of centres of excellence but am not in favour of 630 women being disenfranchised, which is what is happening.

I have a statement from the Health Service Executive which says that local arrangements will be put in place to transport people to the proposed new centre of excellence at the Mater Hospital. There is no mention of anything new in this report beyond the existing service. There are no extra resources for the people of Longford-Westmeath to attend the Mater Hospital. I am angry on behalf of these women. A statement from the Minister through the HSE suggests no new patients will be seen at this hospital. That is an outrage. What will Fianna Fáil do about it? The Minister promised there would be no cutbacks and there is a freeze on employment in Mullingar Hospital. Phase 2B has stood idle for 12 years despite pre-election promises that it would be opened after the election. This will be the downfall of Mullingar Hospital, the slippery slope at the end of which the facility will be closed. I know that is alarmist but I seek commitments from the Minister and a debate on transport and resources for care for these women in the Mater Hospital, which is already full to capacity.