Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response, although I am not as reassured by it as I would like to be. In any case, I understand he delivered the statement on behalf of his colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch. I note, as did the Minister of State, the tremendous work the Friends of Schull Community Hospital has done during the years. Its members have engaged in collections and other fund-raising efforts and stated it will redouble its efforts to raise funds in the locality if a positive indication is given that phases 2 and 3 of the hospital will be completed in the next couple of years. I understand the group has raised in the region of ¤400,000 and that its members are prepared to go back onto the streets of the small village of Schull to raise further funds. The population of the village swells in the summer months as a result of its sailing and yachting facilities, but it is a small community which is doing tremendous work. Its fund-raising achievements are second to none and the community will redouble its efforts if it sees light at the end of the tunnel.