Harney dodging questions about South Tipp
Issued : Wednesday 21 July, 2010
"Minister for Health Mary Harney is dodging questions about health services in South Tipperary.
"I have been pursuing issues for nearly three months about South Tipperary General Hospital, St Michael’s Acute Mental Health Unit, the development of community services and an ambulance service for Carrick promised by Fianna Fail in 2007.
"But the minister has been ducking the answers.
"I submitted questions in advance of her appearance before the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee last May but the meeting was deferred twice and eventually held just last week.
"But the minister did not answer questions about South Tipperary despite being pressed.
"She made no comment on the Fianna Fail pledge to set up an ambulance service in Carrick-on-Suir nor the maternity service at STGH.
"She also refused to take responsibility for the HSE South’s decision to go over her head and close St Michael’s without a proper assessment of the options.
"Minister Harney has obviously adopted a tactic of keeping silent on developments in South Tipperary.
"She also ducked questions in the Seanad with the collusion of Fianna Fail and Green Party senators. She spoke before the House in June but left without answering any questions.
"I was assured twice by the Leader of the House Donie Cassidy that she would return to answer a series of questions I had put. But she failed to turn up.
"I will be raising this contempt for the Seanad with Senator Cassidy over the summer and I will also be pressing issues at the Health Committee next week.
"Neither the minister nor the HSE can stay on the run for ever."
