Northern Ireland's two main political parties have said they will reverse the decision to postpone construction of a new radiotherapy unit in Derry if either of their parties takes the health portfolio after the May elections.
Sinn Féin and the DUP made the comments following Minister Michael McGimpsey's move to delay the project at Altnagelvin Hospital for financial reasons.
The Irish Government is committed to funding a third of the capital costs associated with the unit because it will treat cancer patients from the northwest.
The new satellite radiotherapy unit at Altnagelvin Hospital had been due to open in 2015.
The previous Irish Government had agreed to put forward some of the funding because patients from Sligo, Donegal and Leitrim would be treated there.
Earlier this week, Mr McGimpsey of the Ulster Unionist Party told the now dissolved Northern Ireland's Assembly that his budget for capital spending was £500m short and so he was postponing the unit's construction.
Deputy First Minister Martin McGuiness said today that he could 'guarantee' a reversal of the move after the elections in May.
The DUP's Jim Wells said his party would also reverse the postponement if his party took the health portfolio.
Fine Gael TD for Donegal North East Joe McHugh has reiterated that the coalition Government is still financially committed to the unit.
Mr McHugh said the unit would be an important service for cancer sufferers in the northwest.
