91 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in delivering on a commitment to open a lung transplant unit in the Mater Hospital. [5852/02]

163 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will honour his commitment to open a lung transplant unit at the Mater Hospital, Dublin 7. [5999/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 91 and 163 together.

I am committed to supporting the establishment of a lung transplant facility in Ireland and to ensuring that the programme, when introduced, will be in a position to match the highest international standards in lung and heart-lung transplantation.