NOVEMBER 2005

Donegal Fianna Fail rebellion over cancer plan

In a move which is certain to cause major internal party ripples, the Fianna Fail party in Donegal North East have launched a scathing attack on the Government's failure to address radiotherapy services for cancer patients in Donegal.

In a hard hitting statement, the party's Comhairle Dail Ceantair slammed the decision of the Government to locate cancer services for Donegal patients to Belfast.

Local party members have also described the Government's decision to spend millions of taxpayer's money on staffing part of the clinic in Belfast as 'scandalous', and pointing to the fact that there will be no definite guarantee of places being available to patients from Donegal in Belfast, they say the millions wasted on the Belfast plan would have been better spent on providing a satellite unit at Letterkenny General Hospital. "This would make life more tolerable for many very ill patients and their families,"the statement read.

In a statement signed by committee chairperson, Philip McLaughlin, and former councillor, Noel McGinley (Secretary), the committee say they have asked for a meeting with Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. They want the Government to support the establishment of a satellite radiotherapy unit at Letterkenny General Hospital and the retention of the Breast Services at the hospital, They also want support for the appointment of a permanent Breast Surgeon, something which they say was promised by the Government in the Dail last year. The immediate introduction of Breast Check in the North West is also among their requests.

Among the Comhairle Dail Ceantair members if Colr. Francis Conaghan, the party's whip on Donegal Co Council. He said there are no guarantees that people from Donegal will receive treatment when they need it in Belfast. "As far as Fianna Fail in Donegal North East is concerned the Government have got this one wrong." he said. "They may have been genuine enough but the final result that they have achieved is not acceptable."

Donegal North East TD, Cecilia Keaveney led a deputation from the Fianna Fail Women's Group to meet the Taoiseach last May to discuss cancer services here. She says the time has now come for a follow-up meeting. "Some progress has been made in relation to the choice of provision of radiotherapy for Donegal patients in the relative immediate term." She said. "Choice of location is important given the size of Donegal. Secure access is also important. Vital however, is progress on services for Letterkenny.

Back