I again ask the Taoiseach about Wexford General Hospital. He will be aware that the restoration process is ongoing. He visited the hospital when the fire occurred and assured the management and people at that time that all stops would be pulled out to ensure not only restoration but that the new 97-bed block extension would be built as soon as possible. All the politicians in County Wexford bought into what the Taoiseach said. Deputy Howlin of the Labour Party believes that he was sincere. However, when I last brought the matter to the Taoiseach's attention, I did not get to respond to his answer as I did so during Questions on Policy or Legislation. At that time, the Taoiseach said:

If it is possible to ... [provide] a modular unit or to do something to provide additional capacity, [I think] we should do it. I gave that indication to the management when I was there. The emergency ... [legislation no longer exists but we have asked for the] advice of the Attorney General [which] is not favourable.

At a meeting of the management and staff of Wexford General Hospital and the elected representatives of County Wexford last week, the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy James Browne, told management that the Government was waiting for the advice of the Attorney General. To tell the truth, however, the people of County Wexford are not a bit interested in what the Attorney General has to say. The promise was made. It is believed to be honourable. The only question the people of Wexford are asking is if and when the 97-bed block will be delivered in tandem with the restoration works that are ongoing. We cannot delay the reopening of the emergency department. We should not delay further the additional 44 beds that will come about as a result of the provision of the new 97-bed block.

I do not believe the people of County Wexford want a Jesuitical delivery. I will ask a straight question that warrants a straight answer, with no dancing on the top of a pinhead: when will the 97-bed block be delivered to the 167,000 people of County Wexford?

I thank the Deputy. The new 97-bed block will be delivered as soon as is possible. I wish I could give the Deputy a date of a week or a month hence. I cannot do that at present, but it will be delivered as soon as possible.

It would still be needed even if there had not been a fire given the increasing population in Wexford and the increasing need for healthcare to be available. I am told it is at detailed design phase and the business case is being prepared under the revised public service code which is quicker than it was in the past. It has not yet been determined whether it will be done in the context of the overall works that are ongoing to re-open the emergency department or as a separate project, but the Government wants to do it and we are committed to making it happen. It does not necessarily hang on the Attorney General's advice, which relates to planning permission. It is much needed infrastructure. I want to see it go ahead, as does the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly. I do not want to put a date on it or give the Deputy a month I cannot necessarily stand over. Building a new block has to go through certain procedures, but we will go through those procedures and get it up and running or at least under construction as soon as we can.

The Deputy may also be interested in the MRI scanner project which I had a chance to visit when I visited the hospital a few months ago. I am told that work on the design, construction and equipping of the new MRI on the site close to the main hospital concourse will commence later this year. It is approximately a 12-month programme. We are keen to get the hospital back functioning as soon as possible. It is currently working at approximately 60% capacity. That is having a huge impact on Waterford and Kilkenny so we must ensure it is up and running fully as soon as possible.

I am the Taoiseach and the buck does stop with me when it comes to matters such as this. However, it has to go through a certain process. It has to be designed. Planning permission will be required. It has to go to tender, be built, installed and commissioned. I do not want to make a commitment to the Deputy in good faith that I cannot necessarily honour. I cannot give her an exact timeline on it now, but I will be clear to the Deputy and to the people of Wexford that I and the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, are committed to this project and that we will get it done as soon as we can. Provided the cost comes in at a similar amount to what we have seen for other places such as St. Luke's - there is no reason why it should not - money will not be an issue. However, it is not only about money. It must be designed, planned, go to tender, be built and commissioned. We will get it done as soon as we can.