THE scheduled opening of the new Emergency Department at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital may be delayed again because of the ongoing industrial action in the public sector, it has been revealed.

The HSE had given a provisional 'target' opening date of March 3rd for the new centre, which was completed last summer

However, local councillor Michael O'Dowd expressed his 'disappointment' at comments made by Dr Colm Quigley at the recent Dublin North East Regional Health Forum when he expressed doubt that the target date would be met because of the ongoing industrial action from the civil service sector.

'It seems now there will be further delays to the opening of the new emergency department,' said Mr O'Dowd. 'Dr Quigley, who is heading up the programme for transformation, said it seems likely the ongoing industrial action might cause problems so it would now appear that the opening date has fallen foul of the current climate.'

A spokesperson for the HSE confirmed they are inviting expressions of interest from suitably qualified staff in Dublin North East to fill posts 'to facilitate the opening of the new Emergency Department and for the establishment of a new Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) at the Lourdes in Drogheda'. The closing date for these expressions of interest is Friday, February 5th.

- Fiona MAGENNIS