asked the Minister for Health when work is likely to commence on the extension to Castlebar Hospital, County Mayo.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Mayo Hospital.
1.
This is being considered in conjunction with the general hospital development programme for the country as a whole. I shall make an announcement on this as soon as I possibly can.
Are we to read any significance into the fact that the Parliamentary Secretary has used the phrase, "as soon as I possibly can" as distinct from the phrase used up to now, "in the very near future"? Does this mean that the programme has any possibility of being announced, say this year?
The Deputy heard the Minister use the same phrase yesterday in reply to questions.
What does it mean?
It means that the announcement will be made as soon as the Minister can.
Does that mean in the immediate future? Does it mean this year?
It means as soon as the Minister possibly can. The Minister, like the Deputy and me, is anxious that this announcement be made as soon as possible.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary give us any indication of what factors are inhibiting the announcement of the plan? What factors are involved in preventing the announcement being made?
I cannot give the Deputy any further information at this stage.