258 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will be called for bypass surgery; if his attention has been drawn to the urgency of this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16095/96]

Limerick East): I understand the person in question was placed on the Mater Hospital's waiting list on 18 December 1995 and at this time the hospital is not able to give an exact date of admission. The scheduling of surgery is a matter for the clinical judgment of the consultant concerned, is based solely on the patient's condition and not on the length of time her or she spent on the waiting list. Emergency cases are given priority. The patient's general practitioner should, accordingly, keep the consultant informed on a regular basis of the patient's condition.