Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business that Seanad Éireann calls on the Minister for Health and the Government to honour its pre-election commitments and ensure the continuation of the existing 24 hour a day, seven day a week, accident and emergency services at Roscommon County Hospital. That motion has been signed by all members of the Fianna Fáil group here. I wish to have this matter debated today as a matter of grave urgency. It has now come to light that HIQA never carried out an examination of Roscommon County Hospital, yet HIQA is being used by the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, as an excuse for closing the hospital's accident and emergency department. This is a serous situation. HIQA has completely denied that it had any hand, act or part in an inspection of Roscommon County Hospital.

The accident and emergency department was rebuilt in 2002. I signed the €10 million contract for the Western Health Board. It was built, equipped and has a tremendous opportunity of providing a service. I reject the statements made by the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, that the mortality rate in Roscommon County Hospital is 21%. The fact is that it is 5%, which is the same as everywhere else. The service has been provided by Dr. Pat McHugh who started off in 1977, the same year I was elected to the Dáil. He has served there for 34 years and is one of the finest physicians ever to qualify in this country. While I have never said it before, that man literally brought my father back from the dead. He is the most brilliant physician this country every produced and he has been denigrated by the Minister for Health. I hope he gives those views outside this House and I hope that Dr. Pat McHugh will sue him in the High Court and claim damages for what he has said.