I too wish the Cathaoirleach, the new Clerk, the Clerk Assistant and the Leader and his team all the very best for Christmas. I know the Clerk, in particular, has had a baptism of fire in his new role. He is doing a great job and I wish everyone a very pleasant break.

Like others here, I absolutely welcome the announcement from the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, yesterday. On becoming Minister, she committed to dealing with the HIQA report once it was published. The report was published and she dealt with it. She brought a memo to Cabinet and it is probably the most significant memo that has been brought for healthcare in the mid-west, certainly for a couple of generations. The commitment is now clear. Option A is being concluded and there is a very clear and definite timeline. The second very clear and unambiguous commitment, which has now been signed off on by Government, is that option B is now a reality and will happen. The HSE has been tasked with procuring a site in the vicinity of UHL to build the capacity that is needed, not just for the immediate future but for the next 20, 30 and 40 years for healthcare in the mid-west.

This is great news. It is something that is now in train. I wish the HSE every success with the very important body of work that is commencing immediately. I remind it that this is time sensitive and needs to happen quickly. We cannot have any delays, and certainly no undue delays, when it comes to moving option B forward. I appeal to all stakeholders, including local authorities, the people who tender for the projects and so on, to commit in the same way the Minister, Deputy Carroll MacNeill, has committed to delivering proper healthcare for the people in the mid-west. I sincerely hope we will see the maternity hospital relocated into the environs of UHL. That is critically important as well. We have seen the new national maternity hospital is happening but we need to see the maternity hospital in Limerick relocated because the children born in the mid-west deserve the same access to timely interventions that children in Dublin and other areas receive.

In the run-up to Christmas, we will have a difficult period because flu is peaking. I spoke to Bernard Gloster this morning and he will be on duty all over Christmas because he expects the hospitals will be under significant pressure. That said, we need to acknowledge the positives. What is finally happening in the mid-west after many years is extremely welcome and positive.