Is it a fact that the capital requirements for the paediatric unit could be incorporated in the capital requirements for the extension to the operating theatre and the surgical unit? Is the Minister aware that for the last five years in the surgical theatre in Wexford two temporary anaesthetists have operated because no permanent Irish staff member is prepared to work under such atrocious conditions? As a result of that we have to employ foreign anaesthetists who are not registered to provide the facilities.

There are three consultant anaesthetists in that hospital.

There are two temporary anaesthetists.

The whole time equivalent is two and for a hospital with 66 surgical beds that is not unreasonable.

The Minister has not answered my question. I will put my question slowly because it is obvious the Minister has difficulty in understanding me. Is it a fact that since 1979 the operating theatre in Wexford has functioned with two foreign temporary anaesthetists for the simple reason that no qualified Irish person is prepared to work under the atrocious conditions that exist there?

I am not so sure about that. I readily concede that the general conditions in the theatre are not satisfactory and that has been the position for a long time. I am endeavouring to deal with it but I must point out that there are three anaesthetists — two whole time equivalents — and two surgeons in the hospital together with a consultant radiologist, two consultant physicians and two obstetrician gynaecologists. In fact, there is an orthopaedic surgeon in the hospital. I would not downgrade the hospital that much if that is what the Deputy is preoccupied about. There are 12 house officers in the hospital, including two locums. I am satisfied that the priority in the hospital now is to go ahead with the construction of the hospital as quickly as possible. I can assure Deputies Byrne and Ormonde that I regard it as a major priority. Wexford and Ardkeen are the two major priorities, now that Castlebar is under way.

A final supplementary.

What about Sligo?

In relative terms, Wexford would be more deserving than Sligo.

And Ardkeen.

We cannot go through all the hospitals in the country. A final supplementary from Deputy Byrne.

It seems that the Minister is not convinced about the necessity for a new hospital. It appears also that he is not concerned about the people of Wexford.

That is not a question.

Will he fulfil the promise made before the local elections this year, that he would visit Wexford? Secondly, will he tell us when the decision on the hospital will be taken?

I visit hospitals only when there is a necessity to do so.

It seemed that there was a necessity before the local elections.

I only do so when I have something useful to convey. I am not one of those touring Ministers, like my predecessors.

The Minister has not done badly, all the same.

As soon as I have the situation clarified regarding Wexford I shall be the first to visit it.