Dooley blasts Govt. record in Clare, calls for Health Minister to resign

Published on: 20 September 2012


Fianna Fáil TD for Clare, Timmy Dooley, has blasted the Minister for Health and questioned his litany of broken promises to Clare.

Deputy Dooley was speaking during the Fianna Fáil motion of no confidence in Minister for Health, James Reilly.

“Two years ago, the Minister and Taoiseach, who was then Leader of the Opposition, visited County Clare and made firm commitments regarding the delivery of health services in the county,” said Deputy Dooley.

“The Taoiseach talked about the retention of medical and cardiac services at Ennis General Hospital but, in recent weeks, the HSE has admitted that they will not be maintained. The best the Minister has been able to do is provide two local Fine Gael TDs with a firm letter saying no decision has yet been taken while our Labour Party constituency colleague has said he is aware that the medical services the Taoiseach promised would be retained will be taken from Ennis General Hospital and the cardiac services that have been part of the service delivery mix will also be taken.

“What has changed significantly in the delivery of health services that requires the Minister to change the position he adopted prior to the election?  An effort is still being made by his backbenchers when they go on local radio and comment in the local newspaper to suggest the big, bad HSE is responsibility for all of this.

“It is well known the Minister forced out the chief executive officer of the HSE because he did not like what he was saying.  He got rid of the corporate governance that existed, including the independent board and chairperson, giving himself effective control.”

Speaking afterwards Deputy Dooley said: “There are a litany of broken promises in Clare, I am not seeking to personalise this but the Minister has lost all confidence and the best thing he can do is resign before the Health Service descends into more chaos.”

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