Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply, but it is depressing to see written down that, "The main emergency department and women's and children's block development at UHG is a complex project and is in the early stages of design progression." When the former Minister, Deputy Harris, was in Galway in September 2018, we saw design plans for the emergency department. Yes, the situation may have changed. It was a shell and core fitting-out for the top two storeys of paediatrics and maternity services that then went to a full design project at fit-out, but how long does that take? Why do we have to wait for the temporary emergency department to be completed before we can lodge a planning application for the new emergency department? That application can be progressed. As I have said about numerous projects, nothing in this country can be built without planning permission and approvals. The application has not been lodged and we have no date for that.

While I appreciate the response, I would also appreciate it if the Minister of State brought to the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, what I have said about the possibility of bringing a team to Galway. I ask that the Department of Health engage with Saolta University Health Care Group and request it to progress the planning application for the emergency department.