(South Tipperary): asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the provision on an interim basis of specialist facilities for acute traumatic (and emergency) ophthalmic conditions at local (county) level, for example in the Tipperary area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Treatment of Traumatic Ophthalmic Conditions.
7.
If the Deputy intends to imply that there is a deficiency in the arrangements for the hospital treatment by specialists of acute traumatic (and emergency) ophthalmic conditions at local (county) level, I am unable to accept the implication.
On a point of order, Sir, the Minister's Parliamentary reply seems to cast an imputation on the Deputy who asked the question.
How?
It refers to the implications involved in the question.
I do not understand the point the Deputy is making.
I have observed from the Minister's reply that he refers to an implication intended by the Deputy in relation to the quality of specialist treatment. Surely it is not in order to make any implication in relation to a Deputy's question?
It is not correct to imply that the Deputy made some remark which he knows to be incorrect but I do not know what point the Deputy is trying to make.
Perhaps I might be permitted to continue my reply?
Start from the beginning.
I shall start from the beginning and I hope the Deputy will listen more attentively. The reply is as follows: If the Deputy intends to imply that there is a deficiency in the arrangements for the hospital treatment of acute traumatic (and emergency) ophthalmic conditions at local (county) level, I am unable to accept the implication. I do not know whether the Deputy understands that as an implication or not.
You put that piece in; it was not in the original reply.
Patients of this type, and indeed those suffering from any acute conditions requiring the specialised services of a consultant other than the county surgeon, or county physician, would have such services provided either in the county hospital by calling in the appropriate consultant, or by being transferred to a specialised unit in another hospital where full facilities are available. This is the position in South Tipperary also. I believe this arrangement works satisfactorily.