Would a major accident centre be designated for the Mallow area as it is a very important area? It caters for a very large catchment area with a growing population, with increasing industrial use, being at the crossroads of a very important rail junction. It played a very important part recently in a major accident. The Mallow Hospital catered very well in regard to this accident. Would the Minister designate this area as a major accident centre for the future?

I have given my reply referring to it. You have accident centres in hospitals like Tralee, Cork Regional Hospital and Bantry. Those are the three catering for that purpose under the Southern Health Board. I referred to Mallow in my reply to the effect that while Mallow is a support hospital in that regard, it is not thought necessary or advisable to duplicate the services that are available at Cork Regional Hospital in Mallow.

In view of the increased population there we feel aggrieved that it is not a major accident centre which is very necessary in the north Cork area.

The facilities are provided in places like Cork Regional Hospital and just because of an accident in Buttevant you do not determine that the local hospital should become a major accident centre. So, I cannot accede to the Deputy's request.

With the increased traffic on the roads it is essential that we have a major hospital nearer hand. The Mallow area caters for 20,000 people. We are surprised that Mallow has not been designated as a major hospital centre. Would the Minister make a commitment that in the future this would be designated a major accident centre?

I could not give that under-taking at this stage. Mallow at present is not equipped for what the Deputy has envisaged in his question. Considerable investment would be needed to provide facilities similar to those available in the regional hospital and I do not think it is necessary at this time.

Would the Minister agree that Mallow should not be downgraded in any way and that it did play a very major part after the Buttevant disaster? There is no doubt that six people would certainly have died if it had not been for Mallow Hospital and the facilities it had. Will the Minister give an undertaking that these facilities will be maintained and improved where that is necessary?

I agree with the Deputy in what he said in relation to the Buttevant accident and the contribution made by Mallow. It is my opinion, and I am answering for the Minister for Health, that Mallow Hospital should not be downgraded but should be improved during the years.

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