Flanagan & Whelan vote to prevent debate on Laois hospital closures – Fleming

Published on: 22 November 2011


Charlie Flanagan TD and Senator John Whelan have both voted down attempts to discuss the issue of the closure of Abbeyleix Hospital and St. Brigid’s Hospital, Shaen in the Oireacthas.

Deputy Seán Fleming said: “It is extremely disappointing that the two Government Oireachtas members in Laois are supporting the Minister for Health James Reilly as Fianna Fáil tries to hold him accountable for the closure of these hospitals.  At the same time both Deputy Flanagan and Senator Whelan are pretending that they support the local communities and are opposed to these closures.”

Charlie Flanagan TD voted last Tuesday, November 15 th to suspend Deputy Fleming from the Dáil for raising this critical issue.  He was supported in this vote by the second Government TD in the constituency Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD.

Deputy Fleming said: “Surprisingly Senator John Whelan, who has been very vocal in the media promising support for these two hospitals, today voted against a Fianna Fáil proposal in the Seanad to amend the Order of Business and bring Minister James Reilly before the Seanad to justify the closures Abbeyleix and Shaen.”

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