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A Donegal councillor
has described as "outrageous" Taoiseach Bertie
Ahern’s claim that the Government has 'a mandate’ to
build additional private hospitals.
Speaking as the party prepared to protest at the
FF/PD coalition plans to co-locate private hospitals
within some public hospital grounds, Cllr.
MacLochlainn said: "It is outrageous for the
Taoiseach to state, as he did in the Dáil, 'we have
a mandate to build additional private hospitals…'.”
“Neither Fianna Fáil nor the PDs sought or received
any such mandate from the people. Their notorious
co-location scheme is not in the Programme for
Government nor in the Government Health Strategy.
“This plan is a profit-driven initiative designed to
assist investors who regard healthcare primarily as
a lucrative business,” the Donegal North East SF
election candidate added.
He reiterated that regional cancer care provision –
specifically a satellite radiotherapy unit for the
North West – remained Donegal Sinn Fein’s ‘paramount
political priority’.
"Sinn Féin is vehemently opposed to this co-location
plan which will worsen the already inefficient and
inequitable two-tier system.
“We demand that the plan be scrapped now before any
contracts are signed.”
The Buncrana-based councillor called on the
coalition to replace their co-location scheme with
resources to supply the additional 3,000 beds
required in the public system “with equal access for
all patients, based on need alone”.
"As the only all-Ireland political party, Sinn Féin
is best placed to deliver a comprehensive, decent
and fair healthcare system throughout the island.
"In fighting for Donegal’s future, Sinn Féin is also
best placed to deliver North West regional cancer
care provision as an all-Ireland political priority
through our ever-increasing strength in every
decision-making forum on the island."
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