Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

In 2007, a consultancy firm was engaged by the Health Service Executive to carry out work on the possible location of a new regional hospital for the north east. The company in question, The Health Partnership, received 44 submissions from potential locations in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Dublin and Meath. I understand that two submissions were made from County Cavan and that the proposal regarding a site located in Virginia is one of three that have been short-listed for detailed examination, the others being Ardee and Dunleer in County Louth. At its initial launch, the experts who prepared the Teamwork report believed that the new hospital should be sited in the south of the north-east region because of its larger population. However, I disagree and an intense lobbying campaign has been carried out subsequently to have the hospital centrally located within the region. A strong submission was made by the Virginia Development Association and its supporters to have the hospital located in Virginia close to the M3. Cavan County Council also has played a vital role in the campaign by placing at its disposal a 64-acre site close to Virginia. In addition, the county council made a presentation to the Health Partnership, the company charged with responsibility for deciding the new hospital's location. More than 2,500 jobs would be created and significant spin-offs for the economy within a 30-mile radius of Virginia would arise.

Although Fianna Fáil and the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brendan Smith, support the provision of a new regional hospital, it should not be at the expense of Cavan General Hospital. It should be a regional hospital that will lead to enhanced services at Cavan General Hospital. The Taoiseach recently outlined clearly that the new regional hospital proposed for the north east will be on a par with the best in Europe and it is evident that such a facility will be for the benefit of all the people of the north east region. Essentially, this new hospital will provide those services that are not available to the people of the four counties of the north east and will reduce the region's dependence on access to Dublin hospitals for many aspects of care and treatment. It makes no sense to propose the location of the new regional hospital for the north east on the outskirts of Dublin or in the towns located close to its outskirts.

Cavan County Council unanimously supports the location of the proposed new hospital in Virginia and my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brendan Smith, has given his full backing to the location a number of times. Moreover, he continues to fight for further investment in Cavan General Hospital and for enhancements to its services. To date, investment of more than €10 million is under way at Cavan General Hospital. The new modular building for outpatient cardiac rehabilitation has been provided and the provision of 21 additional beds, four high-dependency beds and a fourth operating theatre is under way and is almost complete. Major investment has been provided in recent years at Cavan General Hospital and this will continue.

I repeat that Fianna Fáil councillors and the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Brendan Smith, fully support the provision of the new regional hospital and its location in Virginia.