Fine Gael’s Joe McHugh has welcomed comments made by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny in the Dáil, in which the Taoiseach made a strong commitment to the Altnagelvin Radiotherapy Unit.
An Taoiseach said: “It is the strong view of the Government that this provides the optimum solution to the provision of patient centred services in the Donegal area.
“The Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly has written to Minister Michael McGimpsey confirming our commitment to the development of a satellite radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin Hospital.”
Commenting on the commitment Deputy McHugh told donegaldaily.com: “The new Government is doing everything in its power to ensure that the radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin Hospital goes ahead.
“An Taoiseach has said as recently as this week, on the Dáil record, that his government’s strong view is that Altnagelvin provides the optimum solution to the provision of patient centred services in the Donegal area. That is a powerful commitment from the Head of Government.
“I am working step-by-step with the new Minister for Health Dr. Reilly on the Altnagelvin project, and I am in ongoing discussions with Northern Ireland politicians about the matter.
“Donegal patients should not be forced to travel great lengths for radiotherapy treatments.”
Mr McGimpsey was accused last month of using the hospital issue as a political football – but the North’s two biggest parties in Sinn Fein and the DUP have promised to work with Dr Reilly in reversing that decision after the Assembly elections in the North next month.
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