John Whelan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply and for departing from his script to deal specifically with the accident and emergency service issue. There is an incontrovertible case to be put regarding the retention, in absolute terms and in perpetuity, of a 24/7 accident and emergency service at Portlaoise, based on patient safety concerns, patient demand and the requirement to serve a huge population catchment.Regardless of the alternative ambulance services put in place, I do not believe it would be possible for that volume of care provided in a 24 hours, seven days a week accident and emergency department to be diverted to any of the other hospitals as is being suggested.

I beg to differ with the Minister on one point. I believe the group chief executive officer added to the confusion and created a great deal of anxiety when he went on the airwaves, without consultation with anyone, and certainly not the public representatives or the community, and speculated as to the future prospects for 24 hours, seven days a week accident and emergency services. As far as I am concerned it would be an untenable position to consider phasing out those services or returning them on an 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. basis. It is no longer an accident and emergency department unless it is operated on a 24 hours, seven days a week basis.