THERE now appears to be a chance that the dispute about the start-up of the Westdoc service to west Connemara will be settled.

There has been uproar in the community about a plan to have only one doctor on duty in the area from Lettermullen west as far as Cama and Cashel during a number of weekends.

That is a distance of almost 50 miles along the main road and there are a lot of townlands along the coast and in the mountains. The matter was discussed at a meeting in Furbo on Tuesday evening.

It was agreed that Westdoc would appiy to Údarás na Gaeltachta, and to the Gaeltacht development organisation Cumas, for ¤20000 to fund a second doctor during the ten weekends when the Westdoc service would be in operation. Minister Éamon Ó Cuív said he would not stand in the way of the application for the money. It now remains to be seen how the application from Westdoc will be handled.

The meeting in Furbo was organised at the request of a community group that was selected at two large public meetings in Cill Chiaráin and Tír an Fhia recently.

Those present at Tuesday's meeting inciuded Minister Éamon Ó Cuív, the Westdoc manager, Siobhán O'Suilivan, and medical doctors Eddie Harty and John McCormack from Connemara.

The meeting was chaired by Councillor Seán Ó Tuairisg and Councillor Seosamh Ó Cuaig and Councillor Catherme Connoly - a member of the Heaith Forum - also attended.

Councilior Ó Cuaig said that the meeting in Furbo opened up a possible means of sorting out the Westdoc situation.

"There is genuine fear and anger throughout the south Connemara conmunity about the Westdoc proposais," Councillor Ó Cuaig said "and we could have a formula after this meeting to get in the second doctor. Of course the HSE should be doing this but if they don't do it I think Údarás na Gaeltachta should get involved. We are talking about people lives and health."

Minister Éamon Ó Cuív said he would be agains't any long term use of money from the Department of the Gaeltacht in providing doctors services. He is asking for a HSE study to outline how South Connemara is at a disadvantage compared to other areas. "The health services are basically a matter for the HSE, and they must do their job," said the Minister.