Is the Minister aware that he sent a letter to the North Eastern Health Board in the first week of September in which he stated that there would be three maternity units only in that health board area, in Cavan, Navan and Drogheda? I welcome the Minister's statement today and I hope he pursues the matter to ensure the appointment of a consultant in Dundalk as soon as possible. In view of the fact that the Minister now appears to recognise the need for a maternity unit in Dundalk, I should like to ask him to have another look at Monaghan and change his mind in relation to that hospital also.

I should like to enter a caveat here. The question before the House deals with Louth and, as Deputy O'Hanlon is aware., the Monaghan issue is sub judice. I do not wish the Deputy to start anything that will get out of hand.

I never said or maintained the position that Dundalk should have exclusive to itself a resident consultant obstetrician-gynaecologist. In the last 12 months I have made it clear that there will be three major centres — Cavan, Navan and Drogheda — and that they would have a resident consultant.

I am ruling out any discussion on matter that is sub judice and that has to be made clear.