In the past two weeks, we had some fantastic news for Galway. In our only model 4 hospital, the design team was appointed for a 300-bed block at University Hospital Galway. This is really welcome. However, as the Taoiseach knows, design teams get appointed, we go through the planning process and it can take an incredibly long time before we see a shovel in the ground. Would it be possible for the only model 4 hospital in the west to have the 300-bed block that it is seeking designated as a critical infrastructure project, cutting through the red tape and getting the project moving? This is part of a larger phased development that will transform the model 4 hospital in the west. I am conscious that the Taoiseach does not want to start producing lists of projects that are critical infrastructure but for our hospitals, for these beds and for the people of Galway, I ask that this get priority.

I am very conscious of the situation there. I have visited that hospital on a number of occasions. As a model 4 hospital, it is in urgent need of significant modernisation in terms of infrastructure and it needs that 300-bed block. It is critical to it. There has been a lot of work done already to get to this stage. One could argue that it has taken an inordinate length of time to get to where we are now. I will certainly talk to the Minister for public expenditure once that legislation is passed, given the critical nature of it to the health service across the entire north west and west. I think there is a very strong case there.