CO-OPERATING for Cancer
Care North West has announced it will not be
contesting the election in Donegal.
CCC(NW) spokesperson Noelle Duddy said the group had
directly been asked by members of the public and
indirectly asked by members of political parties to
put forward candidates. Closing date for nominations
is this Wednesday, February 9.
"We would like to put an end to this speculation.
Whilst CCC(NW) warmly acknowledges the support and
respect the people of Donegal have afforded our
campaign to retain and develop cancer services in
Letterkenny General Hospital, Donegal and the North
West region, we wish to inform the public that (we)
will not be nominating candidates for election in
Donegal. Contesting a general election was never an
ambition of CCC(NW)," said Ms Duddy.
"We believe that the strength of the success of our
campaign is due to our non-political stance and our
absolute focus on addressing the issues - retaining
and developing cancer services in Donegal/NW in the
public sector enshrined in the basis of equal access
according to clinical need.
"We have earned the trust and respect of not just
the public, but also of cross party, cross border
politicians, ministers and policy makers by being
informed, open, honest and transparent in what we
do. We believe we can achieve more by continuing to
do what we do best - lobbying the new Government,
opposition parties, etc and keeping cancer services
a top item on their health agendas. "Whilst we
acknowledge our strengths and achievements we are a
‘single issue’ campaign and we fully recognise our
limitations regarding addressing wider political,
social and economic issues," she added. The group
said their work continued "regardless of elections". |
