Seanad debates
Wednesday, 25 June 2003
Council Regulation on Procedures for amending the Sirene Manual: Referral to Joint Committee. - Health Service Reform: Statements (Resumed).
The same is true for all political parties. When I was first elected to the Seanad in 1987, I met the then former Labour Minister for Health, Barry Desmond, who was watching the row going on because the nasty Fianna Fáil Government decided to close Barrington's Hospital in Limerick. In the front row of those leading the march against its closure was the then leader of the party, the Progressive Democrats, which was going to impose cutbacks in every area, standing shoulder with the late Deputy, Jim Kemmy. Barry Desmond said that when he was Minister he had met a delegation from Limerick, which he had expected to make a huge plea to preserve Barrington's Hospital. However, he said he was wrong and that the delegation actually wanted a fourth hospital in Limerick. I believe that attitude still exists.
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