Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

On my behalf and on behalf of the Sinn Féin Party, I extend our sincere sympathy to the siblings, nephews, nieces and extended family of the deceased, Patrick Walsh. Go ndéanfaidh Dia trócaire ar a anam dílis.

Last Friday, the Taoiseach visited County Monaghan. I welcome his meeting with the community alliance which has been campaigning for years against the cuts in services at Monaghan General Hospital. Nevertheless, it is important to note that I am extremely disappointed that he refused to meet the members of Monaghan County Council, the democratically elected members and representatives of the people of that county, on the same issue. That is not acceptable.

As the Taoiseach carried out official engagements in County Monaghan, a 70 year old man, Patrick Walsh, lay in Monaghan General Hospital suffering from a bleeding ulcer. It is important to make this point. The staff at Monaghan General Hospital did all they were allowed to do for him. However, because of the embargo on emergency surgery in the hospital, they could not operate on Mr. Walsh. That is the bottom line. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, Cavan General Hospital and Beaumont Hospital in Dublin could not or would not accept him. A detailed account of the facts which is not an exercise in scapegoating is now eagerly awaited. However, one cannot escape the fact that even if Mr. Walsh could not be transferred or moved, the surgeons in the hospital in which he lay, who have an excellent record, excellent support staff and a state-of-the-art theatre, could not operate on him because of protocols. They could not operate because of a policy that the Taoiseach and his Government have imposed on the health services in this State.

These are the policies of the Taoiseach's Government and no amount of handwashing can change that fact.

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