Seanad debates

Tuesday, 5 December 2006

2:30 pm

Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I wish to raise a second important matter. Many hundreds of people travelled from County Monaghan today to attend a demonstration at the Kildare Street entrance to Leinster House. All political representatives from Monaghan, such as county councillors, town councillors and all the Oireachtas Members, including members of the Government parties with the obvious exception of the Ceann Comhairle, were present to support the people of Monaghan in their fight to retain acute hospital services in their county.

I support them as a member of the Nenagh Hospital action group. Others, such as representatives from Ennis, were also present because they know Government policy is to downgrade services in acute hospitals throughout the State. The Minister for Health and Children must come to the House to defend her spurious allegation that hospitals such as Monaghan are unsafe for patients. In fact, the reduction of services in such hospitals has made the health service unsafe for hundreds of people. Seventeen people have died in Monaghan as a direct result of the removal of services there. This is an urgent issue, especially as the Government is attempting to move the issue forward beyond the next general election. The Minister should come to the House and should be straight with Members. There should be a straight debate about this matter and people should be heard.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.