Government votes to end cancer services in the North West

by Sligoboy Thu May 22, 2008 11:48

Sorry, I forgot to add the links:

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0521/health1.html?rss

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/breaking/2008/0522/bre...6.htm

by Fred Johnston Thu May 22, 2008 12:07 sylfredcar at iolfree dot ie

It is appalling that cancer services anywhere should be treated in such a manner, but regrettably one makes a mistake to assume that politicians should behave differently or live up to election or other promises. Of course they have the words to dismiss their betrayals - which is what they are; but we vote them back in time and again, knowing what we're getting. Politicians work for US, it is not the other way around. Politics is about the getting and maintaining of personal or party power through the blinding of an electorate into thinking THEY are in charge. But in fact the electorate IS in charge, if they would only recognise it and take courage.

by Eoghan Roe Thu May 22, 2008 13:23

Anyone know the names and party allegiances of the almost thirty TDs that did NOT vote

by Cain Thu May 22, 2008 13:40

That great socialist Finian McGrath voted for the closures and even addressed the Dail saying as much as having secured services for his own constituency he didn't give a damn what happened elsewhere. How he can claim to be a socialist or an independent is beyond me after such a fundamental betrayal of both.

I understand the gallery was packed with protesters with groups from Sligo and Mayo in attendance. SF cllr Arthur Gibbons and FG cllr Imelda Henry where there in solidarity. There was no representation from Labour and Declan Bree was particularly noticeable in his absence.
Jim McDaid was also spotted but his intentions where not clear.

by Eoghan Roe Thu May 22, 2008 16:38

The vote was 75 - 62 I am led to believe. That leaves 29 TDs that did not vote. Anyone know who they are and what parties they belong to?

Gibbons and Henry were there alright but am surprised that breezer didnt turn up there. In fairness though he has been a consistent attendee at meetings and protests etc

by Turncoat Taoiseagi and his minions Thu May 22, 2008 16:50

Finian Mcgrath has already been sidelined on pre election promises made to him by FF in order to get him onside to support a minority government. Promised facilities in Coolock in dire need of youth/adult centers have not been included in the plans as promised for a massive project getting underway to re0develop Northside Shopping centre and surrounding areas. Instead another consumer kids playground for the youth to shop away their pocket money - no youth centre.
Now he holds sway over vunerable folk in the NorthWest by voting against them having a health service - One can only despair.
Thanks Finian.

by Aidan M Thu May 22, 2008 17:09

We all know the Government are a disgrace on this important issue of life and death, in particular the reprehensible behaviour of the local FF TDs who opposed the motion to retain services.

Just as bad however are Fine Gael. 10 of their TDs did not vote. If Fine Gael are serious about retaining cancer services and did not use this motion just as a political football then surely they need to take action against these TDs that have helped the government win this vote.

It was hypocritical of certain FG members to call on FF TDs to vote with them (which they should have done) when ten of their own members refused to do so

by Ciarán ÓB Thu May 22, 2008 17:44

The Tá and Níl votes can be seen here: http://debates.oireachtas.ie/DDebate.aspx?F=DAL20080521...5#H15

(If you use Internet Explorer you'll have to click on the expand button beside 'Cancer Services: Motion (Resumed)' and then go to the fourth page of the debate and expand on 'The Dáil divided: Tá, 74; Níl, 62. Question declared carried.')

This just leaves a process of elimination to determine who abstained.

by Liam Thu May 22, 2008 22:43

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are a disgrace for their actions. Did all Labour and Shinners vote or did some of them abstain also?

by ned green Thu May 22, 2008 23:44

Sligo /Nt Leitrim returned two Fianna Fail TD,s at last years General Election,they both have failed miserably to support the people who elected them,they have put Party and careers first.All the Fianna Fail Senators and County Councillors have also failed to convince their Taoiseach and Government to retain this vital service in Sligo.They have no clout, they are all toothless tigers completely useless.Its now vital that the electorate give them a sweet reminder at the earliest oppurtunity i.e.The Local Elections next year by voting for candidates who will actually do something for the People,beyond lip service and auld plausy guff.

by Eamonn O'Coilea'in Fri May 23, 2008 01:39

DO I need to say more, VOTE NO, and vote for INDEPENDANTS AND SHINN FEIN in the next election,......................

by Michael Donlon Fri May 23, 2008 13:20

One of the shinners abstained also

by Rhona Fri May 23, 2008 16:17

Two Labour party TDs also abstained. Shame on them and the Labour party also

by ned green Fri May 23, 2008 20:08

What matters really is not what the opposition parties did,or did not do on the night .The facts are that the Government,YES they are the ones with the POWER ,could if the wanted saved the Cancer Services in Sligo.They didnt and its once again, part of a bigger picture of neglect of the Western Seaboard Generally since the foundation of the State,of consentrating Development east of the Shannon.A line has now been drawn from Galway to Mullingar,just like Oliver Cromwell did in his time,to create a wasteland west of the Shannon.This Sad litany of neglect will continue as long as the people allow themselves to be fooled by Fianna Fail particularily.Take for example Third World Donegal worst roads in the country ,hardly anyone employed .Yet time after time they return a majority of Fianna Fail TD,S to the Dail,last time it was four out of five .The People have the power to change this starting with the Lisbon Treaty.I would urge them to vote No as a protest against this and succesive Governments failures and neglect of the West of Ireland.

by reply to Ned Sat May 24, 2008 11:00

You are right that it is the government that had it in their power to save the cancer services for the north west but it does matter how the so-called opposition voted on this motion. It is aparent that FG are no better than FF in this regard and were merely using this issue as a political football. Would you trust a FG led Govt to do any better on this issue? I sure as hell wouldnt and their behaviour over this vote confirms my suspicions about their motives in this campaign. They didnt care if they won the vote, all they wanted to do is score political points over the FFers. Kenny woudl sell out the cancer victims of the north west as quickly as the FFers did. They are all just as bad as each other. Cancer victims in the north west need to realise not to place their trust in FG

by plodding voter Sat May 24, 2008 11:29

All this playing football with issues results in more disillusionment by floating voters. That's why they elected a raft of independents around the country in the past ten years or more. I know last time round the voters huddled around FF-FG for safety and because there was a feelgood factor about Bertie and the economy. However, the way the job losses are going and the housing boom is going bust and people are increasingly dissatisfied about health services delivery, the closure of post offices, the persistence of portakabin primary school classrooms and whatever, I'd guess that the number of independent TDs, currently reduced to 5 in the Dail, will increase again after the next election. The number of minority party and non-party councillors may also increase. An intelligent government and a flaccid opposition = floating voters plumping for local issues candidates. That weakens 'national politics' and weakens the possibilities for 'national opposition'.

by Cain Sat May 24, 2008 11:51

Independent TD's can be bought as well, Finian McGrath being a point in case.

I think FF will get a thumping in the locals in the Sligo over this. Arthur Gibbons will fly home, Declan Bree should do very well, Brian Scanlon has shown some back bone on this issue that will do his chances the world of good. Chris should hold his seat now as a result of all this. Veronica Cawley has been very active on the protest so should do well herself. There are no other independents running apart from Declan so the choice is really limited to those in opposition parties and Brian Scanlon.

It is imperative that FF get hammered and that they know exactly why it is that they got hammered.

by aidan m Sat May 24, 2008 11:59

"Arthur Gibbons will fly home"

He will

" Declan Bree should do very well, "

Agreed

"Brian Scanlon has shown some back bone on this issue that will do his chances the world of good. "

Not a chance

"Chris should hold his seat now as a result of all this."

If you are referring to MacManus then no he still hasnt a hope. In either the East or West ward.

"Veronica Cawley has been very active on the protest so should do well herself. "

She will do ok but will not win her corpo seat as easily this time

by disgruntled Sat May 24, 2008 14:25

All politics is local, is what you're saying. In effect it means that there are 41 local elections in every general election. Hospital preservation candidates, deflector candidates, "save the west" candidates, legalise pot candidates, 'support the unemployed' candidates, give autistic people a leg-up candidates, stop abortion candidates, what about dartmouth square candidates, stuff wheely bin charges candidates - all these local candidates attract disgruntled votes and sometimes get angry determined individuals elected to local councils and to the Dail.

Theorists of 'real political change' get occasional spasms of pleasure when the multiseat transferable vote system tweaks the smug bastards on their noses. It's just a safety valve, however, because the scheming bastards target the lost seats, persuade respectable footballers, doctors, neighbourhood butchers and the like to stand for the Party and win the lost seats back for the Party.

Some left candidates are national in their outlook, but many voters are just looking at cancer treatment facilities, rubbish disposal, potholes and local factory closures.
These are real felt issues. Only thing is that the voters don't share the idealism of the non-establishment candidates. But sure vote these allsorts antiestablishmentarians in anyways. Life has got to have its little compensations. The alternative is either insanity or revolution.

by Sydney G. Sat May 24, 2008 16:28

The Sligo cancer campaign group did not organise transport or encourage people to travel to the Dail for the debate.

In fact the cancer campaign group made a decision that it would not organise transport and would not support the FG motion because it included references to Castlebar hospital.

That decision was made at the regular Campaign meeting in Sligo IT the week before the Dail debate. There were a number of councillors present at the meeting who can confirm this including Sean McManus, Arthur Gibbons, Declan Bree, Barry O’Neill and David Cawley.

by Claire L. Mon May 26, 2008 13:50

I was told the greens had the local candidiate on Ocean.fm defending the Goverments position on this. I missed the interview and would appreciate if anybody who listened to it could post up a brief summary of what was said.

First off though, I'm never voting green again. Secondly, I never thought in a million years Brian Scanlon would go on the radio defending any action of Mary Harney. I'm truely shocked.

by Cain Mon May 26, 2008 18:17

The Green party spokesperson on Ocean.FM this morning was not Brian Scanlon, it was Gareth McDaid. He was the greens candidate in Roscommon/South Leitrim in the last General Election and despite the family connections (or perhaps in spite of them) he polled quite poorly.

He has argued for the closing of the service and is fully signed up to Mary Harneys reforms.

Brian Scanlon wouldn't spit on him, McDaids performance on the radio this morning is typical of why. However, the worry is that people will consider McDaids views as those of the Green party in full and that could damage Brians chances at retrieving his seat. He needs to put serious distance between himself and this joker.

McDaid posts quite virulently on Politics.ie as qtman. I will e-mail the green party and ask for their views as to his position on Health and whether or not that position is now their policy.

by ned green Mon May 26, 2008 20:43

Lets not confuse the issue and let the real villians off the hook,ie The Fianna Fail Government .They are the ones who are Closing Down the Cancer Services in Sligo,they are also creating a two tier Health System a plan which is fully supported by the so called Blueshirt opposition ,they are using the rump of the Pee Dees to implemement this Neocon Boston Style Privatisation of the Health Services.They like to give the impression that its not their doing but Harneys fault.Alas you can only fool the people some of the time but i beleive that the people will starting with the Lisbon Treaty, and then the locals give them their answer a resounding NO.As regards Cake he firmly belongs to the Patrica Mc kenna wing of the Greens,Anti Lisbon, Pro Cancer Services Retention in the North West.Only last week he left Mc Daid high and dry in Dublin when he refused at the last minuet to attend a meeting with Prof Tom Keane who was appointed by the Fianna Fail led Government to do a whitewash job,when they tried to gag him from asking pertinent questions to Prof Keane.

by rainbow warrior Tue May 27, 2008 19:37

Heard Cake on Ocean FM this morning,he sounded like a man whose days in the Greens are numbered.He also made a swipe at insidious failed general election candidates who are using the Cancer issue to relaunch their political careers.If a fair and equitable healthcare service is to be provided,it has to be paid for, by everybody paying their fair share of income tax.If the example of a former Sligo Fine Gael County Councillor/Publican who was twice caught by the Revenue for Tax Evasion was followed by everybody,no type of system would exist in any part of the Country.Things are bad under Fianna Fail but they would be possibly worse under the Blueshirts.

by Fairy Hallihan Tue May 27, 2008 19:52

Heard Cake too. Seems pissed off with the Greens position but still at the end of the day he hasnt resigned so he deserves everything he gets from the public, which he is getting in bucketloads.

One thing he is right on though was the political agenda of failed general election candidates been behind this. The whole idea of this was to try to raise the profile of Imelda Henry follwing her GE election defeat and try to put her in a position where she might have a better chance next time (not a hope btw)

Yet despite al lthe bluster from Fine Gael, ten of their TDs refused to vote on the cancer motion. So much for Fine Gaels concern for the victims of Cancer in this region. Just shows how sincere Fine Gael are. There is no difference between them and Fianna Fail. Opportunists of the highest degree

by ned green Fri May 30, 2008 09:27

what a week weve had in Sligo,first it was the obnoxious Dick Roche who arrived into town on the Fianna Fail Battle Bus accompanied by a few nondiscript councillors,not one of the local TD,s or Senators to be seen,they were all I expect under wraps after the reception Jimmy Devins got outside Tesco last saturday .The poor hapless councillors were left with Roche to take the flak from local Save our Cancer protesters who were urging people to vote NO to LISBON.Meanwhile Declan Ganley and his libertas group were warmly welcomed to Sligo,they are advocating a NO vote.The word on the street in Sligo is that people are so mad with Fianna Fails broken promises,that its going to translate into a massive rejection of the Lisbon Treaty.Congratulations to Ocean FM presenter Gerry Farry whos being parachuted into the Greens to contest the Manorhamilton area.I expect Gerry is fully supportive of the retention of Cancer Services in the Northwest,and also anti Lisbon.

by neil sligo Sun Jun 01, 2008 10:00

Lets hear from Gerry Farry' is he in Mc Daid camp happy with our cancer care goin to galway or is he prepare to fight on with Scanlon I understand Brian wasnt asked to the meetin when Farry was put forward for the greens. Get Farry on the air and lets hear what he had to say

by ned green Thu Jun 12, 2008 16:39

The silence from Gerry Farry on Cancer Services since he joined the Greens has been deafing,I take it he is following the offical Green Party line like McDaid.As regards the Lisbon Treaty the only Green I saw doing anything in Sligo/Nt Leitrim was the bold Cake,and he was putting up posters for a NO vote,The Government must be taught a lesson,especially by the electorate of the Northwest by voteing NO to LISBON today.

by ned green Fri Jun 13, 2008 14:39

The people have spoken,the treaty is rejected,the government should take heed.If the dont want a repeat preformance at next years locals,they will have to retain our Cancer Services in the northwest.Senator Feeneys humiliating offer of a a luxury bus only added insult to injury.

by Sean Wed Jun 25, 2008 00:27

I think its a disgrace that all Geraldine Feeney can come up with is a luxury bus its a disgrace to the people of the North West

by Ged Fri Jun 27, 2008 09:29

I would not like to be a Fianna Fail Cllr next year at the local elections people have been fooled for to long by them they have totally let down the people of the north west why have 2 FF Td's when they have done a total Uturn and turned their back on the people that elected them . ! We need peopel that will be their to represent us .

by sean Fri Jul 04, 2008 10:05

Once again we have been badly let down by FF Seanead members when they voted against the FG Labour motion not one of them had the back bone to stand up and vote in favour of the people of the North West this will be remembered next June when we have to vote for the local elections they are a disgrace .

by Paula Fri Jul 04, 2008 12:19

I have to agree with Sean l am an ex Fianna Fail voter l will not be voting FF again neither will my family we have been badly let down by them over the cancer issues they have fed us nothing but false promises . ! Not one of them has supported the people of the North West they seem to have totally turned their backs on us .
We need people that will stand up for us and support us on such issues as cancer care services . !

by Carl Fri Jul 04, 2008 22:27

I was very surprised to here Mark Mc Sharry on Ocean trying to justify why he voted against the motion to retain our cancer services here in the north west he should have voted with his conscience and not gone with the party he has really turned his back on us.
We didn't expect anything else from Geraldine Feeney . !

by Johnny g Mon Jul 07, 2008 16:57

Did anyone here Jimmy Devins on Ocean he has been trying to get prisoners out on early release a criminal who is doing 8 years for assult he wants him to be released earlier wouldn't it suit him better to put this amount of effort into save our cancer campaign in sligo .
Does anyone agree with that . ?

by james Tue Jul 08, 2008 13:50

I agree,I also beleive things will get much worse in the northwest,as were considered the poor releation, and the full brunt of Fianna Fails cutbacks will hit us the hardest.

by Paula Fri Jul 11, 2008 20:20

Once again Fianna Fail have let us donw badly in relation to the 8th Centre of Excellence we were told yesterday that 2 Dublin hospitals are to amalgamate yet they say we are still not going to be concidered for a centre of excellence where are our local FF Td's , Seanead members and Clrr's today not one of them was heard on Ocean fm this morning only Sinn Fein Cllr Sean Mc manus who has always highlighted this issue along with his colleague's Arthur Gibbons and Chris Mc Manus . ! They are a disgrace to the people that elected them . I for one will never vote FF again . !

by Fed up constituent Fri Jul 11, 2008 20:44

Calling on all people not to vote for Fianna Fail in the up comming local election as a protest . This wil show them we won't take the way their party has treated us over the cancer services.

by Johnny g Fri Jul 11, 2008 20:53

I have to agree with fed up constituant l think everyone should bouycot Fianna Fail in the local elections let them see that we won't take this from them . ! I have always voted FF in the past but definetly won't be voting for them again neither will my family. !

by rhona Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:34

Well done Sean Sherlock the Cork East Labour TD who has spoken out so well in support of the retention of Health Services in the North West ,and in particular Cancer Services at Slio General Hospital.I would also like to support Cllrs Seamus Kilgallon and Jim Mc Garry both former Chairpersons of Sligo County Council, who came under undeserved criticism last week ,for in my opinion the paltry amount of expenses they received during their tenure in office .Both are excellent public representatives,and have been to the foreront of the campaign to retain our Cancer Services.Rememer in order to attract people of exceptional abilty into Naional and local politics ,they must be compensated properly for their time and effort.Pay peanuts and you attract Monkeys.

by Brian . Mon Jul 21, 2008 15:25

I don't agree with you there Rhona, Jim Mc Garry hasn't done anything for the save our cancer services campaign at all he can't even be bothered to attend of the meetings on a Tuesday evening . !
I wouldn't mind any Cllr getting thoses expences if they were doing the work not getting expenses for doing nothing at all . !

by Bernard Mon Jul 21, 2008 15:33

I have to agree Jim Mc Garry has never attended any of the save our cancer meetings l do know there is only a handful of Cllr's who attend l know Arthur Gibbons has never missed any of these meetings you have ImeldaHenry , Barry O'Neil Sean Mc Manus Chris Mc Manus and Declan Bree not one Fianna Fail Cllr can even be bothered to turn up they have really sold out the people of the North West . I for one will never vote Fianna Fail agin its goid help them for the local elections next year.

by labour member Mon Jul 21, 2008 16:27

Poor Brian and Bernard. Bashing wee Jimmy again. Do I sense a wee bit of jealousy here. I'm sure he hasn't held his seat for over 20 years because he has done nothing for his constituency.

I wonder how much free time you have put into your community?

I don't think they are paid enough to put up with what they have to. Especially comments such as yours. And to hold two seats and only get paid for one.

And in relation to Jimmy not attending any of the rallys is very untrue. I think you need to check your facts there.

Dont let your envy get the better of you. Put your energy into positive comments.

by David Mon Jul 21, 2008 16:33

Did Jim Mc Garry write that about himself as someone myself who attends all the meetings of Save our Cancer Services at Sligo General Hospital Jim Mc Garry has never attended one of these meetings and he should be ashamed of himself this campaign is not about polititions trying to take the credit for the brilliant work that Anne Mc Gowan , lilly mc Morrow and Lillian Mc Loughlin have put into this campaign the only Cllr's that has never missed a meeting of this campaign is Veronica Cawley , Declan Bree , and Arthur Gibbons now shame on you whoever wrote this trying to give Jim Mc Garry credit on an issue as noble as this one . !

by Brian Mon Jul 21, 2008 16:37

How can any Cllr defend the abuse of tax payers money for their own gain there are 25 Co Councillors and 12 Borough Cllr's whay does it take the majority of these to attend a junket with a big self payment for expences attatched to it . If they are serious why send one from each of the local authoritys and that Cllr to produce a written report and this report to be put on public display for no less than 28 days so the tax payers can see where their money is going. !

by Bernard Mon Jul 21, 2008 16:43

In reply to Labour member Jimmy may have turned up at the 2 rallys that the cancer campaign services held in Sligo hoping for a photo shot but the minutes of the meetings of save our cancer services in Sligo general hospital which is held every Tuesday evening at 8pm in the Sligo IT will show that Jimmy Mc Garry even though he has been sent notification by email and text has never attended one of these meetings so get your facts right these minutes of the meetings can be viewed by anyone .

by Brian Mon Jul 21, 2008 16:48

What did Jim Mc Garry ever do for his community that he wasn't well paid for after all he enjoys the eithos of being a Councillor he feels it gives him a sense of power but his 20 year record will show that he has done dam all out from his U-turn away from the extreme Fine Gael polices and tried to adopt a Labour attitude . Only the Labour party in Sligo in an act of desperation would fall for a fool like Jimmy

by Kevin Mon Jul 21, 2008 17:00

Labour memeber l have to agree with Bernard and Brian , Jim Mc Garry has never done anything for free anything he has done has been well paid for l wouldn't call his expenses peanuts either l wouldn't mind getting his expenses let him try living on minimal wage l am sure he would rather be claiming big expenses instead . !!

by labour member Mon Jul 21, 2008 18:19

I am not from Sligo David but was in Dublin when I seen Mr Mc garry at one of the rally's. Thank you Bernard for confirming that.

I hold my hand up to not knowing about other meetings but as pointed out there is 25 & 12 representatives in the area, I'm sure not all have done their bit for such an important issue, but it doesn't seem fair to me that only one keeps getting picked on. They should all be named and rallied to participate fully.

As for expenses, as far as I was aware, these were just a re embursement of costs incurred. It would be interesting to highlight this issue if this is not the case.

I think Brian it is also very hard for me to comprehend that someone could be elected by the people of Sligo, and Alderman on many occasions. Did nothing for his constituency. I think you should give credit where its due.

I think your issue is extremley important to the West of Ireland. Keep up the good work. But do name and shame your representatives who do not do all in their power to support your issue.

by Brian Mon Jul 21, 2008 19:02

Fair enough Jim Mc Garry may not be the only Councillor who dosen't attend these meetings but why give him so much credit for all that he has done to help retain these services when he has done nothing he may have attended a rally in Dublin but where has he been since he didn't even have the decency to send any apology as to why he dosen't feel this is a cause worth fighting for anymore maybe he feels this is a lost cause and Sligo has no hope of retaining these services .
Where does this mans loyalty lie is it with the people of the north west or is he backing Fianna Fail .
I thought Labour was all for retaining these services if that is the case why is Veronica Cawley the only Labour Councillor that attends these meetings . !

by Tubber Boy Sun Aug 17, 2008 14:35

I didnt realise that there was a Cllr O Neill in Sligo. Is he an independent on the Borough Council because I know he was not on the ballot paper for the County Elections

by Gerry Tue Aug 19, 2008 21:35

Barry O'Neil is a Ballyshannon Cllr he has nothing to do with Sligo County Council or Borough Council . Heattends the meeting's of save our cancer services.

by Brian Tue Aug 19, 2008 23:24

Did anyone see in the Sligo Champion last Wednesday that a number of the cancer campainers are thinking of running in the local elections next year yet from the start they said there campaign was't political or had anything to do with politics .
That dosen't seem to be the case now .