Jimmy Devins (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak on this Private Members' motion concerning the health services and the current Minister for Health and Children. Like the Minister, I agree with the Opposition on just one aspect, that is, to express my deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. Pat Joe Walsh on his untimely and unnecessary death at Monaghan General Hospital. As has been stated, there is now an official inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his death, and it is appropriate that objective comment should be delayed until the findings of that inquiry are available. However, I was absolutely appalled by the behaviour of some politicians who immediately after the tragic death of Mr. Walsh tried to turn his sad death into a political football. It is worth remembering that they did so in the absence of hard facts surrounding his death. Such actions are unwarranted and, in truth, do the political system more damage than good. It may achieve for the politician involved a measure of short-term gratification in the publicity stakes but as to ascertaining the underlying mistakes, it is of no use at all. Once the inquiry is finalised, it is important that corrective measures are put in place as soon as possible so that a totally unnecessary death such as that of Mr. Walsh——

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