asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the future of the County Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tullamore Hospital.
11.
When I have completed my consideration of the views of the joint working groups, and the health administrative bodies concerned, which were recently received and when I have consulted with the other members of the Government I will make a decision about the hospital development programme for the country at large. Until this stage is reached it would be inappropriate for me to make a statement in regard to a particular hospital.
Have you received a recommendation from the Midland Health Board in regard to this matter?
Yes.
In regard to the hospitals?
Yes.
If the two mini-scale hospitals they propose to erect in that region are implemented, will that bring about a closure of the county hospital?
There has been no decision made in respect of any hospital yet. As I have said, I will consider the report of the working parties and the recommendations of the health boards. Then I will have to make up my mind.
If it is implemented, will the Minister give me an assurance that it will not be closed as a surgical hospital?
I cannot give the Deputy any assurance in respect of Tullamore hospital or any other hospital.
The Fitzgerald Report recommended that Tullamore, in the midland region, be the central location for a general hospital and is it not true to say that in the region at the moment it is the most up-to-date hospital and that in the report to the Midland Health Board——
I want to help Deputy Connolly to elicit information but he cannot elaborate or make a statement on the matter.
I am entitled to ask and I am not being unruly, is the Fitzgerald Report recommendation in regard to the Midland Health Board not being implemented?
That has not been determined yet.
Question No. 12.
In view of the fact that the Midland Health Board has made a recommendation to the Minister to erect two mini-scale hospitals in the region, will that then bring about the closure of the county hospital?
I am afraid the Deputy is indulging in argument now. We just cannot permit this.
That is the hospital.
Yes, that is a hospital but I should like the word "hospital" clarified. Would that be a surgical hospital or would it be turned into a geriatric hospital?
The Deputy will have to find another opportunity to debate this matter. Question No. 12, please.
This is a very serious matter——
(Interruptions.)
——and I am not going to treat it lightly. Let us be fair.
The Chair has given the Deputy a lot of latitude. He must not abuse it.
It is a very serious matter. I want to say here——
The Deputy cannot make a statement.
On two occasions I was refused permission to raise this matter on the Adjournment.
(Interruptions.)
I must now ask Deputy Connolly to resume his seat.
You refused me on two occasions——
I will name the Deputy; I will be obliged to name Deputy Connolly. Deputy, please, sit down.
As far as the people of Offaly are concerned, we are going to oppose the closure of the hospital in every way possible. I propose now to raise this matter on the Adjournment of the House.
The Deputy has been guilty of gross disorder. Deputy Connolly must resume his seat.
We will defy the closure——
I will have to ask Deputy G. Connolly to leave the House.
(Interruptions.)
The Chair is being very unfair to me, I wish to raise the matter on the Adjournment.
The Deputy behaved in a disgraceful fashion.
(Interruptions.)
Next question, please.
(Interruptions.)
Would Deputy Coughlan please assist the Chair and not hinder it?
Deputy Coughlan is a great republican now. "The Cruiser" has him by the neck.
(Interruptions.)
He has the Deputy now with a halter round his neck.
(Interruptions.)
I will have to invoke Standing Orders against the Deputy if he persists. Deputy Connolly, you cannot be allowed to disrupt the business of this House.
There was an allegation made against me.
The Deputy will please desist.
(Interruptions.)
Question No. 12, please.