Planning permission has been granted for a new 96-bed block at University Hospital Limerick — the second such development on the site.

The decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála marks another step toward increasing hospital capacity in the Midwest, though campaigners say it’s far from a long-term solution to chronic overcrowding at UHL.

On Thursday's Morning Focus, Alan Morrissey was joined live in studio by Angela Coll, Friends of Ennis Hospital and Deirdre Culligan, Friends of Ennis Hospital.