Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Taoiseach. I will keep it Galway. Galway city's population is expected to exceed 120,000 in the coming years. As he is aware, the ring road is one measure that is essential for reducing traffic congestion, improving retail connectivity and supporting the continued economic development of Galway. We need it, and I was pleased that the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, included it earlier in the year, but I am concerned about the project being bogged down in an endless planning process, as it has been for many years. The Minister, Deputy Jim O'Callaghan, has spoken about the need to reform the planning process. I hope that will be done as quickly as possible to make a significant difference to the ring road.

As the Taoiseach is aware, University Hospital Galway is the only model 4 hospital in the HSE west and north-west region. It serves a population of more than 900,000 people and is one of the busiest hospitals in the country. It urgently needs a new emergency department, as has been acknowledged for some time. I am aware that one is planned but it must be prioritised. What are the Taoiseach's views on that? Could he perhaps raise the matter with the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill?