asked the Minister for Health the grades of staff in Jervis Street and the Richmond Hospitals with whom agreement has been reached about transfer to Beaumont Hospital; and the date on which such agreement was made.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hospital Staff Transfers.
10.
I am aware that some hospitals have closed, or intend to close hospital wards, especially during the summer months. Some of these closures are being made as an economy measure, but it has been a traditional practice to close wards in the summer months when——
On a point of order, it is Question No. 12 that the Minister is answering.
I do not seem to have the answer to Question No. 10 with me.
Do I take it that the Minister is not dealing with this matter, in view of the fact that he does not have the answer in front of him now? Has the Minister not been told yet what to say?
Because of the impasse reached in the negotiations with the consultant staff of Jervis Street and St. Laurence's Hospitals regarding their transfer to Beaumont Hospital, it has not been possible to negotiate with the other grades of staff in the hospitals regarding their transfer.
As the Deputy will be aware, the impasse to which I refer has resulted in my deciding to abandon the attempt to move Jervis Street and St. Laurance's Hospitals jointly to the new hospital at Beaumont.
In the new situation in which St. Laurence's Hospital will be moving on its own initially to Beaumont there will, of course, be consultation with all of the other staff interests concerned.
A Cheann Comhairle——
I am sorry, I cannot allow you to ask a supplementary question. It is as plain as ABC. The House is so ordered. In other words, lest there be any misunderstanding, it is specifically stated, in the order made by the House for dealing with Question Time, that where a question nominated for priority is concerned it must be in the name of one Deputy nominated by a group and only that Deputy can ask a supplementary question.