Will the Minister approve a recommendation by Comhairle na nOspidéal in relation to the appointment of an obstetrician-gynaecologist at the maternity unit of Roscommon County Hospital? Furthermore, of the posts he has outlined to the House, would he say how many are newly created ones? Would he please outline the details of the six posts approved for the Western Health Board area, saying whether any of them are for Roscommon County Hospital, particularly for the maternity unit there, and if he is appointing a second physician and/or second surgeon to Roscommon County Hospital?

I do not have any proposals before me for the appointment of a second physician in Roscommon County Hospital, nor indeed for a second surgeon there. Regarding the post of obstetrician-gynaecologist in Roscommon I recall quite vividly that the Leader of the Opposition persuaded — I think that is the most gentle word I could use — Comhairle na nOspidéal to give sanction to that post against all professional advice. Since then my Department, the new Comhairle na nOspidéal, and, for that matter, the Western Health Board regard that appointment as being totally unnecessary and undesirable in the light of cover which is available in Sligo, Galway and Portiuncula. It is a classic example of where the Leader of the Opposition led his party when he was Minister for Health.

As far as Roscommon was concerned, we were looking forward to the appointment of an obstetrician-gynaecologist which had been approved by an independent body, Comhairle na nOspidéal——

Which the Minister has politicised. The Minister has totally politicised it.

The Minister has over-ruled Comhairle na nOspidéal because he does not want to see the appointment being made in Roscommon County Hospital. The Minister has over-ruled the best advice available to him from Comhairle na nOspidéal. I am proud that Deputy Haughey approved the appointment when he was Minister for Health. I am proud of that approval and of the fact that he funded it.

If the Deputy wishes me to send him the correspondence between Comhairle na nOspidéal, the then Minister for Health, and the outstanding Chairman of Comhairle na nOspidéal, who tried to persuade the then Minister that he was acting totally out of court in terms of his then proposal, I will willingly send him copies.

I challenge the Minister to send the copies to me.

The Chairman of Comhairle na nOspidéal was so correct in his assessment that he was fired by the then Minister.

That is the way the Minister conducts his ministerial business.

If the Minister will send me copies of the correspondence I will publish them.

I am calling on Deputy Dr. Ormonde.

The Minister spends his time delving into files——

Deputy Haughey, please.

As a matter of fact I do not have to send them at all; if the Deputy will just ring up Dr. Basil Chubb, the then Chairman of Comhairle na nOspidéal, he will tell him all about it.

This wretched Minister for Health, unable to defend his own pernicious health policies, spends his time delving into files to try to find something to throw against former Ministers who did their job.

Deputy Dr. Ormonde is attempting to ask a question. Order, please.

The Minister forgets there are people out there in need.

I challenge the Minister to send me copies of the correspondence.

I will send the Deputy the correspondence.