Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

The plan for Roscommon County Hospital was to merge its surgical department with that of Portiuncula Hospital. I have not seen the latest proposals. When the HSE is briefing, it is required, like all Departments, to brief Government and Opposition alike. It seems that the county council and, perhaps, the regional forum were briefed in this instance. Neither the HSE nor the various Departments can be selective when offering briefings. They have to make such services available to Government and Opposition alike. I am more than happy to ask the HSE to brief those who are interested on the Roscommon issue.