Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 138: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the application for the appointment of a consultant haematologist at the Mercy University Hospital Cork has to date not been approved; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the current consultant to the children's leukaemia unit at the Mercy Hospital is due to retire in 2005 and that any undue delay in the advertising and filling of this post will have major consequences for children suffering from cancer in the Munster area and for the long term future of the unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16946/05]

Ned O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 144: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in a response issuing in relation to the appointment of a consultant haematologist with an interest in child haematology to the Mercy University Hospital in Cork in view of the retirement of the present consultant in May 2005; if she will further investigate this matter with the chief officer of the Health Service Executive's southern area; if her attention has been drawn to the huge concerns being expressed at this post not being filled on time. [17018/05]

Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 167: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the HSE will appoint a new consultant haematologist in the leukaemia unit at Mercy University Hospital Cork to replace the person retiring (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17249/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 138, 144 and 167 together.

The Health Act 2004 provided for the establishment of the Health Service Executive on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the provision of cancer services and the recruitment of consultant staff. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer of the Health Service Executive's southern area to investigate the matters raised and reply direct to the Deputy.