Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

I was a member of the VEC for four decades and served successfully with both Senator McFadden and her father. We all know what has happened with the HSE. I fully support Senator McFadden in her request. The VEC has 25 excellent staff and a terrific new building leased in Mullingar. It is a shining example of what should have been done in the case of the HSE. The counties in the Midlands Health Board area - Laois, Offaly, Longford and Westmeath - worked extremely well together. I hope the people of counties Laois and Offaly can stay together as a unit, as they always have done with considerable success.