Rebel TDs refuse to rejoin FF until health issues resolved
Thursday September 17 2009
THREE rebel Fianna Fail TDs yesterday insisted they will not be rejoining the parliamentary party until their concerns over local health services have been addressed.
The Fianna Fail TDs in the north west -- who have resigned the party whip or had it removed -- yesterday remained steadfast that they would not return to the fold until their grievances over cancer services were dealt with.
Yesterday afternoon, Jimmy Devins joined his fellow Sligo/North Leitrim TD Eamon Scanlon in reiterating that he would not consider reapplying to join the party until the issue of breast cancer services at Sligo General Hospital was reopened.
"It was a decision I took after a lot of deliberation and a decision I feel very strongly about ... I will not be reapplying to join the FF parliamentary whip, but if the Taoiseach does want to reopen discussions, I will be more than willing to meet with him," he said.
Earlier, Mr Scanlon said he still believed the decision to transfer breast cancer services from Sligo General Hospital to University College Hospital Galway had been wrong.
"I think it's wrong for the people of Sligo; I think it's wrong for the people of the North West. I think it is very, very, unfair to expect sick people to have to go to Galway for clinical assessments.
"We are asking people who are receiving radiotherapy treatment to do a 200-mile round trip on a bus five days a week for five or six weeks," he said.
In Donegal North East, James McDaid insisted he, too, was sticking by his principles in relation to the provision of the cervical cancer vaccine for teenage girls.
"Until such a time as the vaccine is introduced I couldn't, in principle, apply for membership of the party," he said yesterday.
The issue of the disaffected was raised by outspoken Cork TD Ned O'Keeffe at the party's meeting in Athlone. Afterwards, Taoiseach Brian Cowen indicated that the door would be open for them to reapply.
Speaking on Ocean FM yesterday, Mr O'Keeffe said he had pointed out to the party that none of the members who had been excluded had any issue or quarrel with Fianna Fail.
"It is very obvious that the health policies being pursued are not in the interest of Fianna Fail. The Fianna Fail party is more socially minded and has a different ethos in the whole health area," he said.
He added that the resignation of the whip by Mr Devins and Mr Scanlon proved that they were "people of principle" and were unhappy with the policies being pursued.
- Anita Guidera
