Pearse Doherty (Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister of State for his response, which contained nothing new to us. The Minister of State outlined the areas that would not be affected, but the reality is that 20 beds are to be lost from Letterkenny General Hospital and patients who want to avail of treatment as day cases will not be able to do so. The Minister for Health and Children always said that these cutbacks would not affect patient care. The general manager of Letterkenny hospital stated on Highland Radio that one would have to be naive to think these cuts would not affect patient care. Does the Minister of State stand over the fact that patients in Donegal will receive a reduced service? The beds will not be there, which will result in more patients on trolleys, and those who are waiting to be treated as day cases during August will not have that service. It is appalling that the hospital is being punished for being effective and being ahead of its own targets this year.