A total of 80,113 patients attended the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick last year.
The figure is understood to be the highest in the country and is more than the combined total of patients seen at EDs in Sligo and Portincula University Hospital, which both serve the same region.
Last year, over 25% of the patients seen at Doordaoyle's Emergency Department originated from county Clare.
Kilkee Fianna Fáil Councillor and Regional Health Forum West member Cillian Murphy believes the case for a model three hospital in Ennis is now beyond debate.