I would like to express my sympathy and that of the people of Tipperary and west Waterford to the McCarthy family on the sad passing of Dr. Seán McCarthy, iar-Theachta Dála agus iar-Aire Stáit and a noble doctor who served the public of Tipperary and west Waterford well and beyond.

I have to return to a medical issue concerning St. Brigid's hospital, Carrick-on-Suir. The Taoiseach has promised me umpteen times in here that he would meet Councillor Kieran Bourke, other councillors in Tipperary County Council and the hospital action committee. They are forced to come up to the convention centre tomorrow to protest and present their petition. The medical and nursing staff of the hospital, which has a state-of-the-art building, have been forced to collect signatures for that petition. They have had a huge response showing that people would put their loved ones in the hospital because they trust, value and appreciate it and the care they got there. Will the Taoiseach meet those people and the action committee to re-evaluate the scandalous decision to close down the hospital?

As I said before, I am not aware if people have been in touch with my office in terms of a formal meeting and so on.

Of course they have. Several times.

I said I would be willing to meet them.

I have, of course, been in touch with the McCarthy family and I hope we get an opportunity at a future date to properly pay tribute to Dr. Seán McCarthy, who was an outstanding medical practitioner and GP, an outstanding sportsman who played for Tipperary and, of course, a wonderful Deputy, Senator and Minister of State. I hope we get that opportunity to pay due tribute to him and his contribution to public life and the well-being of the people of Tipperary and the country.

In terms of St. Brigid's hospital, I believe the HSE has been in touch with the Deputies in the area. It is an ongoing issue.