Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support the call for the Minister of Health to come to the House in response to the Higgins report. However, I have an open mind on this because I believe there must be a reconfiguration of hospitals in the State for the 21st century. We have now built a motorway system that can move people and traffic around the country very quickly. The people who perhaps are worst placed to take a cold objective view are those who are involved with hospitals. I disagree with Senator Landy. I believe Waterford Regional Hospital is broken. It is the worst regional hospital in the State by a country mile, an opinion I do not offer lightly.

I do not make that statement lightly because it is based on knowledge and experience.