asked the Minister for Health if he has received the reports of the Cork Regional Hospital Board and Comhairle na nOspidéal concerning the satus of Nenagh County Hospital, County Tipperary; and, if so, if he will arrange to meet a deputation from the area as soon as possible.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nenagh Hospital.
26.
I have received the reports from the Cork Regional Hospital Board and Comhairle na nOspidéal, which are now being examined. When the MidWestern Health Board submitted their recommendations in regard to future hospital developments in their area they also sent me a lengthy statement regarding Nenagh County Hospital from the Tipperary (NR) County Hospital Action Group.
I am considering all these documents and, indeed, the various other documents relating to health board areas which have been submitted to me. In arriving at decisions I will, of course, take account of all that has been said.
In so far as receiving deputations is concerned, I have had requests to meet deputations in respect of a number of county hospitals, which I am considering.
Is the Minister aware that the Taoiseach has already received a deputation on this matter on both 27th February and 6th March? If the Taoiseach can receive a deputation would the Minister not acknowledge that it would be much more appropriate for him to receive a deputation because he would be better armed with the facts and the arguments?
I am aware the Taoiseach received a deputation. The Deputy must realise there are deep local feelings about the proposed changes in the siting of hospitals throughout the country. As far as I am concerned, there are thousands of requests for deputations and scores of representations and, with the best will in the world, and anxious to meet everyone and hear his view, I do not think the Deputy could expect that I could receive all of them. I received the report within the last few weeks and I intend to study it over the next few weeks and then make a decision. Now, if a representative local body want to meet me, I will certainly give that body every consideration, but the Deputy will understand there are certain sensitive areas in which feeling runs very deep about any change in status in the hospital in the area.
I accept that the Minister has to consider this on an overall basis, but I simply want to be assured that whatever deputations he receives will be constituted of those who will, in fact, present the argument to him on a reasonable basis as, indeed, the committee for the retention of Nenagh County Hospital will do.
I said I will receive deputations and representations. The Deputy will appreciate that the various local bodies will be concerned for their own particular areas and changes will impinge on the areas of these bodies. The Deputy will also appreciate that there will be very, very difficult decisions to be made, some of which will be unpopular.
I take it we can look forward now to the Minister being willing to receive a deputation?
I said in my original reply that I would consider that.
When the Minister is finished with the various groups will he inform this House of his decisions?
The Deputy is broadening the subject matter of the question.
I could not give a guarantee on that because I do not know if there is a precedent for that or some tradition with regard to announcements of decisions in this House.
The reason I ask is because I asked for information and I was told it was not available, but the local Labour Party tally man, shall we say, was able to give it that night and he got it directly from the Minister.
I must admit I do not know to what the Deputy is referring.