326 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people currently waiting for lung transplants; and the number of people who died from fatal lung disease since July 1997 giving details on a yearly basis. [8361/02]

327 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when a lung transplant unit will be established here as part of the Programme for Government issued in July 1997; the situation in this regard; and the reason the Government has not delivered on this commitment. [8362/02]

328 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the amount it will cost to establish a lung transplant unit here; the feasibility reports or studies carried out on the possibility of setting up such a unit; the plans the Government has to provide such a unit; the time-frame planned for the provision of such a unit; the funding which has been set aside for this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8363/02]

416 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the establishment of a heart and lung transplant unit here; the reason for the delay in the establishment of such a unit to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8997/02]

437 Mr. Currie asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the heart and lung transplant unit at the Mater Hospital, Dublin; when he expects the first transplant to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9337/02]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 326 to 328, inclusive, 416 and 437 together.

The Government is 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 transplantation. The Mater Hospital, Dublin, has been designated as the surgical site for the programme. The provision of a lung transplant unit at the hospital forms part of a major capital development approved for the hospital. In order to advance this project an expert consultative group chaired by the Eastern Regional Health Authority was established to advise my Department on various issues associated with the development of the programme. The report of the consultative group has recently been received and is being considered by my Department. A meeting between officials from my Department, the ERHA and representatives of the consultative group has been arranged for later this month to discuss the matter.