Sinn Féin challenges Harney on cancer services for the Southeast
Sinn Féin has challenged Health Minister Mary Harney to state publicly her position regarding provision of cancer services for the Southeast. The party's national spokesperson on Health Caoimhghín O Caoláin T.D. has put down a number of written questions to the minister including asking the minister if she will authorise development of a Satellite Radiotherapy Unit for the Southeast region.
Speaking today Waterford City Councillor David Cullinane called for a positive response from the Minister given her stated commitments on this issue in the past.
Cllr Cullinane said: "The Progressive Democrat Manifesto for 2002 called for regionalised cancer services and clearly states that it is unacceptable that people have to travel up to a 100 miles for radiotherapy treatment. If this is the P.D. position then I call on the Health Minister to quickly proceed with the implementation of her clear pre-election promises."
"Sinn Féin has posed a number of written Dáil questions to the Minister. We have asked the Minister if she will authorise development of a Satellite Radiotherapy Unit for the Southeast Region and if she will give approval and resources for the provision of a dedicated Haematology/Oncology Unit at Waterford Regional Hospital as proposed by the South-eastern Health Board.
"Mary Harney now has the opportunity to implement her clear election promises on this issue. She has the opportunity to deliver where Micheál Martin has failed. I am calling for a positive response from the minister."ENDS