The next question is from Deputy Eugene Murphy who is always in order.

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. Last Wednesday, I asked the Taoiseach about the programme for Government in relation to health, specifically about the orthopaedic units in Merlin Park. I acknowledged that the Taoiseach was a busy man and I gave him the opportunity to return to me with an answer or get the Minister, Deputy Harris, to do so. The leaks in the roof have been repaired and the hospital is currently waiting for a risk assessment to be conducted. Hundreds of orthopaedic operations have been cancelled and we are still unable to find out what is going on. Will the Taoiseach please sort this matter out and have the two units open as soon as possible?

On foot of the Deputy's query, I sought information from the Minister for Health. He assures me that the HSE is committed to ensuring that a full elective orthopaedic service is restored in Merlin Park. In September 2017, the leaks in the roof of the building which houses the orthopaedic theatres occurred, necessitating the closure of both. There has been a full repair to the membrane of the roof which is required to secure the integrity of the building and these works are now complete. The theatres, notwithstanding the roof repair, date from the 1950s and do not meet current clinical standards. An independent clinical assessment has been undertaken to assess the feasibility of returning these theatres to use. The Saolta University Health Care Group management team has advised that the best way to restore effective capacity at Merlin Park is through the provision of two modular theatres on the Merlin Park site. The tender process for these modular units is at its final stages and it is expected that a contract will be awarded in the coming weeks.

The roofs are repaired but the theatres are not opening.