Deputy Arthur Morgan chair of Save Our Hospital Services Committee has confirmed that Minister Dermot Ahern has finally come back to the Committee regarding meeting with him and Health Minister, Mary Harney in an effort to save the services at the Louth County Hospital.

Deputy Morgan says

"The meeting is to be held in the Dáil this Wednesday, the 2nd December, at 6.30pm.  The members of the Committee and Dundalk Town Councillors will be making a huge effort at this meeting to safeguard the essential medical services for the town and catchments area.  However, I think it is important to point out that the real decision  about the future of our hospital services has already been made at cabinet level.  What we will be looking for is a commitment from Ministers Ahern and Harney that they will go back to cabinet and they will insist that they overturn their cruel decision to deny the people of Dundalk and surrounding areas a proper health service."

"A Minor Injuries Unit is no substitute for proper Accident and Emergency!

A so-called step-down bed is no substitute for an Intensive Care Unit!

We will be insisting on the retention of all services currently at the Louth."

"I would like the public to be clear that while this meeting with Dermot Ahern and Mary Harney is taking place this Wednesday evening the government plan remains in place to remove our services in the next month.  So people need to remain vigilant and keep up the pressure on all elected representatives in the final phase of the battle to Save the Louth."