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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Navan hospital pledge dispute

Summary

Shane Cassells accuses the Government of failing to deliver the promised regional hospital for Navan, prompting an angry exchange with Deputy Doherty over whether a pledge was ever signed. The Chair repeatedly intervenes to keep the exchange on order.

On the commitment to health spending in the programme for Government, particularly section 4, there have been reports in recent days of the Taoiseach asking his Ministers to compile lists of what Fianna Fáil Members on these benches are seeking to deliver for people every week. I ask the Taoiseach where, in the long list of things he and his party promised to the people in 2011 to get themselves into power, is the new regional hospital for Navan. That was not just promised by three Ministers but they signed a pledge and said they would have it open and operational by 2016-----

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That is not true.

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Deputy Doherty did that.

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When was this?

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Will the Taoiseach tell me, in his list of expenditure plans, where that hospital is, and if it still exists on any of the fact-check lists he is compiling? The cattle grazing on the fields it was supposed to be on might like to know if they need to move to a new pasture.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

That is not really on the Order of Business. Is there a comment?

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Leo Varadkar The Taoiseach Fine Gael

I am glad the Deputy has confirmed what Fianna Fáil Deputies do every week.

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Go back to this House in 2011. That smile will speak volumes to the people of Meath, with the Minister beside the Taoiseach. Their smiles and smirks will speak volumes to the people of Meath-----

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

I call Deputy John Brady.

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-----that they delivered none of what they said they would.

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I will not sit here and state a lie. There was no pledge made.

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Does the Minister want me to bring the newspaper back in to show her the front of the Meath Chronicle with her picture?

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Deputy Cassells, please. Questions have to be on the Order of Business.

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The Deputy should withdraw his comment. There was no signed pledge.

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I will bring it to her.

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It is pathetic.

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The Minister's promise was pathetic.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Deputy and Minister can do this out in Meath but not in the Chamber of the Dáil.

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