Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I make the point to Senator Seery Kearney, soon to be Deputy Seery Kearney, that although it is regrettable that recruitment for a consultant respiratory and lung transplantation physician in the Mater hospital has been delayed, the HSE ODTI is working to recruit to the position as soon as possible. Once in place, this consultant physician will provide greater support to lung transplant recipients, including those with CF. I have undertaken to go to the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, and the Department to get the information the Senator is seeking, that is, ultimately, when that consultant physician will be in place in the Mater hospital and, working way back from that, when the post will be advertised, what will be the interview process and when a candidate will be recruited. I have undertaken to follow up in that regard. It is a straightforward request from the Senator and, in the circumstances, I do not intend to cover anything else. That is the heart of her question. I undertake to follow up on that and I will get the Minister to issue a direct response to her.