The Labour Party has promised to build a new general hospital in south county Dublin if it returns to government after the next General Election.
Party leader Mr Ruairí Quinn today pledged to develop a 20-acre site at the back of the existing hospital in Loughlinstown to serve Wicklow, Dun Laoghaire and the south Dublin suburbs.
Mr Quinn said: "Labour has produced a detailed policy for reform and improvement of the health services. This will include the building of new hospitals and the provision of additional hospital beds. The new hospital for Loughlinstown will be included in these plans".
I recognise that there is no large general hospital between St Vincent's and Wexford," he said.
Mr Quinn was peaking during a visit to Loughlinstown Hospital today. He was accompanied by party health spokesperson Ms Liz McManus and Mr Eamon Gilmore, spokesperson on environment and local government, both of whom are TDs in the hospital’s catchment area.