Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Following the Minister's statement in the Dáil yesterday and the real concerns of the people of the north west, I have some specific questions to which I would like specific answers.

What the Minister said yesterday led me to tabling today's motion, which asks him to confirm or deny the existence of a preliminary report on maternity services in the HSE west and north-west hospital grouping area, as prepared by the Health Partnership consultancy. I would like the Minister to outline the terms of reference provided for the preparation of this report. I want him to outline the report's draft recommendations, specifically in terms of the number and location of maternity service centres in the region, and to clarify the Government's position on the matter.

I have reason to believe that the draft preliminary report specifically states that two maternity services are to be maintained, one in Galway and one in Donegal. I know that no decision has been made, but I want to get to the bottom of this preliminary report, and I hope that the Minister can answer those questions. First, does a preliminary report exist? Second, what were its terms of reference? Third, what did the draft recommendations state?

I tried to contact this company, Health Partnership, which has a virtual office on Trinity Street. I spoke to a lady there today, who directed me to the CEO of the HSE to answer any of my questions. I do not know anything about this organisation. If we look up its website, it does not state that any personnel work there. The lady to whom I spoke said four people worked there.

The commitments given yesterday by the Minister had a very worrying end, because he said that a national review was taking place and that this would be determined by national and not local concerns. The Minister will understand that the people of the north west have an issue with the Minister and the Government on the basis that they were lied to in the past in respect of Roscommon General Hospital. They were lied to by the Tánaiste in respect of cancer centres of excellence. They were lied to by the Taoiseach in respect of Roscommon General Hospital as well.