A local TD has warned he will withdraw his support for the Government if further cuts to frontline health services in the west go ahead.
Slamming the Government for being “removed from reality,” Independent deputy Noel Grealish says he is “totally and utterly” disillusioned with what is happening in the country today.
The Carnmore politician is seeking an urgent meeting with An Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Minister for Health Mary Harney to outline his opposition to the further scaling down of local health services and to register his “difficulty” in supporting the Government if these cuts are implemented.
“I have informed An Taoiseach and the minister that I will find it very difficult to continue to support the Government if drastic cuts in frontline services and hospital funding are implemented,” said the former Progressive Democrat TD.
Speaking to this newspaper he said he will withdraw his support if the cuts are introduced. “I feel very strongly on this. Enough is enough. This Government is removed from reality. I’m totally and utterly disillusioned with what is happening. I believe that any further cuts will endanger the lives of patients and those who receive care within their community and should not be considered at any cost.
“Already all non-emergency surgery is under consideration for cancellation from September to the end of the year at University Hospital Galway and this will have a long-term effect on the health of people in the west. There is also a proposal to let go up to 1,000 temporary staff who provide much of these frontline services.”
The people who are being affected by these cuts are primarily the elderly, disabled and infirm, he says. The Government is putting the banks “before the people and the community” yet the people did not cause the “mess this country is in”. It is very hard to go to people’s doors and justify this, he outlines.
“These people are in no way responsible for the economic downturn and should not be targeted for cuts in such vital services. It is my firm belief that the recapitalisation of banks is being put before the health and wellbeing of our citizens and this must not continue.
“If we can put €30 billion into our banks surely we can find adequate funding to maintain frontline services. Our priority is to protect the most vulnerable in our society first. In light of this, I will find it extremely difficult to support the government if any further cuts to frontline services are implemented and I have asked to meet with An Taoiseach in early September to discuss this matter further. I have also requested a meeting with the Minister for Health as soon as possible.”
Deputy Grealish says unless provisions are put in place to provide adequate services at UHG and in the community he will turn his back on the Government.
“People are extremely disillusioned with the way the country is being run. The proposed electricity hike is unacceptable. The ESB made €1/2 billion profit last year yet it is talking about increasing electricity charges. Hotels, businesses and households will suffer.
“I don’t think we are going in the right direction, we have to look at the whole recapitalisation of the banks. Is it necessary to give so much money to them? Why give money to Anglo Irish Bank when we are never going to get it back?”
He says he intends to be “tough” when he meets An Taoiseach and the Health Minister. “I am going to make my views clear about the health cuts, the stealth taxes and how it [the Government] can find billions for the banks.
“I was talking to a young fella of about 25/26 years recently and he said his grandchildren will be paying all this back. Where is this all going to end? I can’t see any end in sight.”
