Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to be the politician who set up the meeting between the Minister and the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. Unfortunately, I could not attend as I was getting an ECG in hospital and did not realise how long it would take. I went in at 3 p.m. and left at 9 p.m. I pay tribute to the competency of the staff and surgeons at the Mater Hospital. I saw at first hand the difficult work they do.

I welcome the significant developments at Roscommon University Hospital, which serve as a strong reminder that the hospital is very much open for business. In fact, it has never been busier, which the critics did not envisage five years ago. Roscommon is a shining example to all small hospitals around the country. I take this opportunity to commend the air ambulance service, which saves dozens of lives in towns and villages throughout Roscommon and the wider region. I look forward to the continued development of the palliative care unit in order finally to address the critical lack of inpatient hospice facilities in County Roscommon.

I pay tribute to Ms Cynthia Clampett, Mr. John Murphy and everyone involved in the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation for their hard work and commitment to improving palliative care services and enhancing the quality of life of people in both counties. I look forward to the Minister making an announcement in the coming weeks that the staffing for this vital facility will be progressed. I thank the Minister of State for all the work he is doing in this area.