|
"Minister for Health fails on his promise - Mullingar Hospital,"
says Deputy McGrath
Deputy Paul McGrath expressed his outrage that the Minister for Health, Micheal Martin T.D. had reneged on his promises concerning Mullingar General Hospital.
"Minister Martin met a deputation from the Midland Health Board on 11th April 2001 to discuss Phase 2B of Mullingar General Hospital.
"At this meeting the Minister gave a commitment that a decision regarding this hospital extension would be made by him within 3 months," says Deputy McGrath.
"Three months have now gone by without any announcement from the Minister," says Deputy McGrath.
"Indeed in a Parliamentary Question to him on 3rd July 2001 the Minister was very evasive and non committal on this matter.
"The people of Longford and Westmeath are being short changed by this Government in the provision of hospital services at Mullingar," says Deputy McGrath.
"Much needed additional beds and other hospital facilities are badly needed at Mullingar.
"Michael Noonan T.D., Fine Gael Party Leader, on a recent visit to the hospital gave an absolute commitment that on returning to Government he would ensure that Phase 2B of Mullingar General Hospital would get the immediate green light.
"Michael Noonan T.D., in 1996 when Minister for Health, provided the money to complete Phase 2A of Mullingar General Hospital and he is dismayed to see that the £7 million of taxpayers money invested then in this hospital, has not been used to best returns for patients in this area," says McGrath.
"It is nothing short of a disgrace that this Minister should renege on his promise and continue to ignore the health needs of people in Westmeath," says McGrath.
Return to Media Centre
|
