I ask Members for a little co-operation in order that everybody can be accommodated.

My question relates to Sláintecare policy, specifically in regard to resource deficiencies at University Hospital Waterford, which is a regional hospital serving 600,000 people. I received correspondence earlier this week from a medical professional who described how an immediate family member died in April at 49 years of age due to a heart attack. The catheterisation laboratory in Waterford was not accessible because it happened on the weekend. In recent weeks, a second immediate family member suffered a heart attack at age 47 and survived because the weekday catheterisation laboratory service was available. The person is questioning, as am I, what the Government is doing to deliver 24-7 cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford. The catheterisation laboratory hours are due to be extended to seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., yet I can get no confirmation from the HSE that regional heart attack patients will be given access at the hospital or that ambulances will be referred from the region during the extended hours. I would appreciate if the Taoiseach could indicate what his Government is doing about providing a 24-7 service at University Hospital Waterford. Will he end this health discrimination?

The Deputy is aware of the Government's commitments and plans in regard to expanding the cardiology service at Waterford University Hospital in terms of a second catheterisation laboratory, expanding the hours as the Deputy outlined and, critically, the recruitment of key personnel. This is not a funding issue. Predominantly, it has been an issue determined by the various colleges in terms of cardiology and their view of what level of service should be in different settings. We have had that discussion and we are committed to expanding the service as quickly as we possibly can.