McKenna raises Medical Assessment Unit with HSE Forum

Feasibility report due before end of the month

Sinn Féin Councillor, Brian McKenna raised the issue of the Medical Assessment Unit at Monaghan General Hospital at the HSE’s Regional Forum when it met earlier this week.

In a question to the HSE executive Cllr. McKenna asked when it is expected that the feasibility report into the development of a M.A.U at Monaghan General Hospital will be completed. He pointed out that it was now almost three months since this work was commenced that people were led to believe that it would be completed within 6 - 8 weeks.

In a written response by HSE Area Manager, Leo Kinsella, Cllr. McKenna was informed that:

“A representative group has been established by the HSE to undertake a feasibility study on the development of a Medical Assessment Unit in Monaghan Hospital. This independent feasibility study will establish if there is a clinical need for a Medical Assessment Unit in Monaghan Hospital for the Monaghan population and establish the pay and non pay costs and internal/external support services associated with the establishment and running of a MAU in Monaghan.

“The project will demonstrate evidence of the local health demographic and local health data of the Monaghan population relevant to medical assessment unit services.

“The group commenced its work on Monday, 17th October, 2011 and the timeframe for completion of the project is 6 – 8 weeks. A report will be completed by end January 2012.

“The membership of the Group are as follows:-

“Dr. Louise Doherty, Specialist in Public Health Medicine, HSE North West;
Dr. James Hayes, Consultant Physician and Clinical Director, Cavan General Hospital;
Ms. Eileen Whelan, Director of Nursing, Louth/Meath Hospital Group, Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital;
Ms. Ruth Murdiff, (Service User Panel Representative);
Mr. Robert Dancey, (Service User Panel Representative);
Mr. Gerry Clerkin, Risk Advisor, Risk Management Department, Cavan and Monaghan Hospitals;
Mr. Cathal Hand, Development Officer, Primary and Community Care, HSE Cavan Monaghan;
Dr. Ilona Duffy, General Practitioner, Monaghan.”

Speaking afterwards Cllr. McKenna welcomed that some progress had been made on this issue to date and that the feasibility report is scheduled to be published by the end of January. The Sinn Féin representative stated that his party would continue to press the HSE and the government to deliver the promised Medical Assessment Unit at a matter of urgency and priority.

“Fianna Fáil should be honest on hospital” – Brian McKenna

North Monaghan & Regional Health Forum member Cllr. Brian McKenna has welcomed the fact that Deputy Margaret Conlon has finally woken up to the potential for development at Monaghan General Hospital. However the Sinn Féin Councillor said that Fianna Fáil couldn’t have it both ways – stating that they have no say in relation to decisions affecting the hospital one minute and then claiming to be making a contribution to its future in the next sentence.

Cllr. McKenna said “perhaps if Deputy Conlon had been as positive and forceful when the HSE were removing services from Monaghan General Hospital we wouldn’t be in the situation we are now. Instead Deputy Conlon, and her Fianna Fáil colleagues, used the HSE mantra that no service would be removed until another was put in place elsewhere when clearly the HSE had failed to provide alternative and accessible services for the people. I don’t think that people will be fooled by this so called 5 point plan for Monaghan General Hospital. What Deputy Conlon should be calling for is the return of medical cover to our hospital and for the ICU to treat patients suffering from heart attacks. What has been suggested is all very low key, the bulk either already committed or being argued for by a variety of voices.

“Many of us have been battling with the HSE over the past 12 months to ensure patients from Drogheda and Dublin hospitals would be repatriated to Monaghan and we now have that commitment in place. The long promised CT scanner will soon be operational as a result of continued pressure on the HSE when both Deputy O’Hanlon and Deputy Conlon were silent on these issues.

“What the people of Monaghan now want and deserve is honesty from government representatives such as Deputy Conlon. They can force a change in HSE policy and they could have prevented services being removed from our hospital. They should acknowledge their failures to date and join with Sinn Féin, Fine Gael and the Hospital Alliance in our shared campaign to have them restored.”

McKenna secures HSE concession on repatriation of patients to Monaghan General Hospital

North Monaghan Sinn Féin Councillor and Regional Health Forum member, Brian McKenna, has received a commitment from the HSE that Monaghan General Hospital could and would receive patients from Drogheda and Dublin hospitals following procedures being carried out. Cllr. McKenna had previously highlighted the fact that only patients treated in Cavan could be transferred to Monaghan. He had pointed out the waste of step down and rehabilitation beds available in Monaghan under the previous scheme was informed at a meeting of the Regional Health Forum by Hospital Network Manager Mr. Stephen Mulvany that so long as a reasonable number of beds were available for Cavan patients returning then other patients from Drogheda or Dublin hospitals could and should be accommodated in Monaghan.

Cllr. McKenna in response to Mr. Mulvany’s statement at the meeting requested that this be communicated to the relevant people in the other hospitals. Cllr. McKenna in a statement afterwards said: “this is an issue I have raised in recent months and I know of a number of instances where the HSE have refused to repatriate patients from Drogheda back to Monaghan General Hospital to recover from operations. I very much want to welcome Mr. Mulvany’s acknowledgment of the folly of such a policy and furthermore his commitment to issue the appropriate instruction to the relevant hospitals and staff members. I would encourage people who are unable to cope at home with family members recovering from operations to insist that they are returned to Monaghan where they will receive the appropriate care from qualified staff and make visiting much easier for their relatives. There is no valid reason why beds should be empty in Monaghan and patients lying on trolleys in Cavan, Drogheda or Dublin hospitals” Cllr. McKenna concluded.

SF Regional Heath Forum rep claims HSE are putting Patient Safety at risk

North Monaghan Sinn Féin councillor and member of the Dublin/ North East Regional Health Forum, Brian McKenna, has said the HSE are putting at risk the lives of patients in North Monaghan following their relocation of the Rapid Response Vehicle from Monaghan to Castleblayney. Cllr. McKenna said:

“The North-East Transformation document drawn up prior to the removal of acute medical cover from Monaghan General Hospital promised an enhanced ambulance service which included a Rapid Response Vehicle with appropriately trained advanced paramedics to be based in the county town.

“Since the withdrawal of acute medical cover from the Louth Hospital in Dundalk the HSE have relocated this Rapid Response Vehicle to Castleblayney to provide cover in the North Louth areas. This is a hugely dangerous move and it is placing the lives of people in North Monaghan at serious risk. Where is the concern we hear regularly from HSE and Fianna Fáil spokespersons about patient safety and quality of care. The HSE and government parties have once again broken their commitments to the people of Monaghan.

“I will continue to highlight these failures on their part. Meanwhile, it is incumbent on all political parties to pressurise the HSE to honour its promises to the people. There is especially a responsibility on Fianna Fáil councillors and TD’s to once and for all stand up for the people of County Monaghan. They had the power to keep acute medical cover in Monaghan General Hospital and the failed to do so. They now have the power to have the Rapid Response Vehicle located in our county town but are remaining silent on the issue. It is the very least that the people of North Monaghan should expect” Cllr. McKenna concluded.

McKenna keeps pressure on HSE for Monaghan’s CT Scanner

The Sinn Féin representative on the H.S.E. Regional Health Forum, Cllr. Brian McKenna, raised the issue of the long promised CT scanner for Monaghan General Hospital at Monday’s meeting of the body. In a question to HSE officials Cllr. McKenna asked if the new CT scanner had been installed; if not, when would it be so; and when will the necessary staff to operate the scanner be in position?

In their response the HSE stated that “the new CT scanner for Monaghan Hospital has been delivered and is currently being installed and is due to be commissioned in the near future. Training for staff has been ongoing and the service is expected to commence in June on a phased basis initially, with support from Radiology Staff in Cavan. A total of 1.2 WTE Posts has been agreed under the Transformation programme for this service.”

In reply Cllr. Mckenna expressed disappointment with the HSE response stating that it appeared that the operational date for the scanner has been put on the long finger once again, this time till June. “At our meeting in January I was informed that the CT scanner would in commissioned by mid-February. This is not acceptable and I will be doing my best to ensure that it is put in place, as promised, as soon as possible” he concluded.

Monaghan Delegates make major contribution to Sinn Féin Ard Fheis

Dozens of Monaghan delegates made up part of the 2,000 plus in attendance at last weekends Sinn Féin Ard Fheis held in Dublin’s RDS.

In wide ranging debates dealing with social and economic matters, the crisis in our health services and the need to advance towards a United Ireland, County Monaghan delegates contributed throughout and argued their positions cogently.

Monaghan Motions

Monaghan delegates were particularly pleased that many motions submitted from the county, both by the governing Comhairle Ceanntair and by local Cumainn, were adopted by the Ard Fheis.

A motion proposed by the Comhairle Ceanntair in support of the local communities campaigning against EirGrid and NIE’s plans to impose high voltage power-lines through the North East was unanimously passed by the Ard Fheis.

The motion, which was officially proposed to the Ard Fheis by South Monaghan Councillor, Matt Carthy, read:

‘This Ard Fheis expresses its ongoing support for the communities in Counties Monaghan, Cavan, Meath, Armagh and Tyrone who are campaigning against the plans of EirGrid and NIE to impose overhead high voltage power lines and associated pylons through these counties. We call on the Irish Government and Assembly Executive to instigate a policy of under-grounding high voltage power lines in the best interests of the environment and to minimise the impact of this type of infrastructure on communities affected. Pending the development of such policy we call on the planning authorities, North and South, to reject the applications for the North-South Interconnector, considering the large number of unanswered questions regarding the environmental and health implications of the current proposals’.

Cllr. Carthy reminded delegates that two years ago Sinn Féin became the first party with a specific policy calling for the undergrounding of high voltage power-lines. “Two years on we are still the ONLY party to have that policy” he said. Cllr. Carthy said that while local Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil representatives were “talking a good game” unless their parties undertook to implement the same policy as Sinn Féin then local communities would fear that their concerns are being ignored by these politicians.

Health issues & Monaghan Hospital

As party spokesperson on Health & Children, Cavan/ Monaghan Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin received high praise from the Ard Fheis for his consistent position in support of patients and local health care provision.

In his own remarks during the health section of the Ard Fheis Deputy Ó Caoláin stated that within the past year the Fianna Fáil government has stepped up its attacks on our public health services. In clear and unambiguous language the Sinn Féin Dáil leader outlined clearly where his party stand on the issue of returning services to local hospitals which this government has removed.

He said: “As a result of the Health Service Executive Service Plan for 2010, recently approved by Mary Harney, a further 1,100 acute hospital beds will be taken out of our public hospital system this year. There will be 33,000 fewer hospital admissions in 2010.

“Contrary to the hype and spin of Health Minister Harney and HSE Chief Drumm this is not about making the system more efficient and better for patients; it is about further cost-cutting in a public health system that already has a shortage of hospital beds and staff.

“This year we have already seen a record-breaking 500 patients on trolleys and chairs in A&E departments on one day in January. Yet with fewer hospital beds and fewer staff the HSE Service Plan outlines ‘service levels’ with 100% of patients admitted or discharged from A&E within six hours of registration. It is totally unrealistic. It is not in the real world of the public health service. It is another false promise from the far-away planet inhabited by Mary Harney and Brendan Drumm.

“But let’s be very clear. This can’t all be pinned on Minister Harney; the entire Cabinet and the Fianna Fáil party and Green Party in the Oireachtas bear full responsibility for the desperate state of our health services.

“In Budget 2010 they imposed further cutbacks on public health services and they announced another great example of the Fianna Fáil/Green concept of fairness. For years Sinn Féin and others have stressed the need for action to reduce the exorbitant cost of medicines in the health system. Nothing was done about this during the Celtic Tiger years. Now guess who is being asked to pay? As in the case of NAMA and the bank bail-out, it is not the profiteers who are being forced to pay but the people.

“This Government is about to impose prescription charges of up to €10 per month on medical card holders. In a couple of weeks they will bring in legislation to provide for this. I challenge here today those Fianna Fáil backbenchers who staged a mock revolt over the public service pay talks last December. Will they now stand up for their constituents and refuse to support this charge? They know very well that once introduced the prescription charge will be increased year on year, undermining the medical card and hitting the least well off. Let them put up or shut up” he said.

Deputy Ó Caoláin reaffirmed Sinn Féin’s commitment to an all-Ireland, single-tier, universal health system with equal access for all based on need alone and funded from general progressive taxation. That is the only fair and efficient alternative to the chaos which reigns at present. “We reaffirm our commitment to the local hospital network, the restoration and retention of the maximum possible number of services and opposition to closures and downgrading such as imposed on the people of Monaghan” he concluded.

Delegates unanimously adopted a motion on the issue of Monaghan General Hospital proposed by Monaghan Town Councillor Padraigín Uí Mhurchadha. It read:

‘This Ard Fheis calls for the restoration of all acute services to Monaghan General Hospital and roundly condemns the action of this Fianna Fáil/Green Party government who have presided over the final removal, as and from 22nd July 2009, of the last acute services from this once proud General Hospital facility. We call on all political parties, without exception, to commit now, in advance of the next General Election, to the restoration of these essential services for the people of Co. Monaghan and the hospital’s natural hinterland, north and south of the border.

We urge all political coalition parties to pledge to restore, retain and develop the network of local hospital sites across the 26 Counties and to undertake a serious engagement with the counterparts north of the border leading to the development initially of better cross-border co-operation in healthcare delivery systems and ultimately towards a fully integrated single All-Ireland health system delivering a free at the point of access top class service to all across this island and on the basis of need and need alone’.

In moving the motion Cllr. Uí Mhurchadha stated that government representatives in this constituency “as they have failed the people of both Counties Cavan and Monaghan”. She said that it wasn’t simply good enough for the Fianna Fáil representatives to “wash their hands of the service cuts after service cuts that have reduced Monaghan General Hospital to its current position. They cannot simply state that on one hand they support our hospital and yet claim that they have no power to act. “Likewise, I am calling on Fine Gael to join Sinn Féin in adopting a very clear position of returning and developing services to our hospital if and when they are in a position to do so. It is disappointing that, thus far, they have failed to make that commitment.

Children’s Referendum

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin moved an Emergency Motion to the Ard Fheis on the proposed children’s referendum. He pointed out that this issue was especially relevant this week when the disgraceful neglect of children in State care has been highlighted. “Over 20 children have died in State care since 2000. None of the reports on their deaths have been published officially” he said.

“There needs to be concerted action to ensure the provision of the essential resources and services to protect children at risk. And there needs to be action to vindicate the rights of children in law and in the Constitution.

The final report of the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children (of which Deputy Ó Caoláin is a member) was published last month and it presents an important opportunity to strengthen children’s rights in this State.

“It is time for a referendum to be held that will ensure children have constitutionally recognised rights as individuals, beyond those derived from their status as members of a family as defined in the 1937 Constitution.

“Sinn Féin believes that this report is an important step on the road to cherishing all children of the nation equally. It is now up to government to take the wording offered and hold a referendum that will afford children specific rights to care and well-being and their right to be heard in matters concerning them.

The amendment should also go some way to addressing the obstacles affecting child protection systems. If an amendment such as the one contained in the report was enshrined in the Constitution, the State would have sufficient power to intervene on behalf of all children at risk regardless of their parents’ marital status.

“Sinn Féin is calling on the Government to table legislation to hold a referendum on the issue of children’s rights as a matter of urgency. We also need to see a Referendum Commission established as soon as possible, one that will inform people in a clear and comprehensive way about all the issues involved”.

Coalition

The Ard Fheis also heard various speakers outline their views on the various prospects for the party in the aftermath of a General Election. Delegates endorsed the position articulated by their Dáil Leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD. In his remarks he said:

“We all know too well the appalling record in government of Fianna Fáil. We have no illusions about what they represent. We are and will remain independent.

“The issue for Sinn Féin is twofold: Firstly, whether any of the other parties could measure up to the policy commitments we require. Secondly, whether entering a coalition would enhance our political strength and advance our struggle for Irish unity and equality. We would have to satisfy ourselves that the answer to both of those questions would be ‘yes’ before coalition could even be considered. We would have to be satisfied, as the motion states, that any draft Programme for Government put before this Ard Fheis would be rooted in republican principles and would advance our policy platform. And we would have to be satisfied also that any such decision would maintain our unity and cohesion as a party.

“The bar is set very high and I see no party at present that comes anywhere near to meeting our requirements. Our job now is to build our party, to build alliances with people in communities across Ireland, to grow from the grassroots, to make our political project the catalyst for the empowerment of people. Our ultimate ambition is to be the vehicle through which the people take power away from those who have dominated and abused the people’s trust over successive decades”.

Catch & Release

The Cathaoirleach of Monaghan Town Council, Seán Conlon, achieved full support for a motion he proposed calling for the introduction of ‘catch and release’ legislation that will stem the continuing decline of pike and course fish stocks from our nation’s lakes and water courses.

He stated “anglers, who for generations had been abiding by the standard practice of returning fish after being landed, have ensured the protection of not only a treasured pastime for thousands of Irish anglers and tourists but importantly secured the future sustainability of a delicate natural resource. For our young people especially, this has enhanced their awareness of ecological and environmental education by participating in angling events and competitions.

“Complimentary to the societal benefits is the considerable factor of Ireland’s reputation as one of the worlds leading angling tourism destinations. The failure of government in enacting thorough and robust legislation will lead to a collapse in this valuable social and economic resource and ultimately an environmental disaster.

“With increased immigration to Ireland many new people, particularly from eastern European countries are enjoying the benefits of Irish angling facilities. Unfortunately some of these people do not share the traditional catch and release ethos that has always been the mainstay of this type of fishing in Ireland. This approach has contributed to a decimation of pike and course fish and the current vague and outdated bye-laws are useless in tackling the problem.

“Signage and occasional prosecution will not reverse this trend and integral to the implementation of future laws will be measures to build positive relations between indigenous anglers and those who are new to the concept of the ‘catch and release’ philosophy. A minor fish kill that occurred last week in Peter’s Lake in my own town of Monaghan is proof if needed that the eco-systems that many of these species habitat are extremely fragile. The passage of new legislation will go a considerable distance in ensuring future generations will still avail of this treasured pastime” he concluded.

Oireachtas & Electoral Reform

On Saturday delegates endorsed a call from Cavan/ Monaghan TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin to endorse a motion setting out a programme of democratic reforms which are sorely needed to make the Dáil and Seanad truly accountable to the people. Deputy Ó Caoláin spelt out his party’s position clearly: “We are for the abolition of the undemocratic and unrepresentative Seanad” he said. “We are proposing its replacement with a new democratically elected second chamber that would provide a new aspect to representative government”.

Deputy Ó Caoláin continued: “People are understandably and justifiably tired of the way democratic institutions have been misused by the establishment political parties in this State for decades. They have treated them as their personal fiefdoms, a place of perks and privileges. Instead of forums of the people they have become platforms for careerist politicians. That must change if we are to being about a real and meaningful transformation in politics in this country. And of course they must be part of a transition to an all-Ireland democracy, a truly national Dáil Éireann”.

Working towards Irish Unity

Clones Councillor, Pat Treanor, told delegates that there was a need to step up the campaign to deliver a United Ireland. He said that border communities in particular had suffered the everyday experience of partition, and had a special role to play in any such campaign.

Cllr. Treanor said: “The purpose of the actions arising from this campaign would be to demonstrate the nonsense of the border through real cases north and south, and the discrimination facing communities in this region. The border community is best placed to advocate and put forward the real life cases that they face on a daily basis, as it did in the 80s and early 90s in relation to the closure of border crossings.

“We have seen how issues such as social welfare entitlements, roaming charges for mobile phone users, additional charges and regulations for farmers, tax liabilities and many more are impacted negatively because of the border. Border businesses operate in a distorted economic environment, with price differences benefiting traders on one side to the detriment of those on the other. While the balance shifts from time to time, the distortion has led to a boom or bust scenario for many border towns. The only consistent beneficiaries have been smugglers who will seize on any opportunity to profit from the distortion in either direction, or both! Indeed, multinationals have become the new smugglers with their outlets north and south charging different prices for the same products – 30 to 50% difference in some cases.

“We need to build the debate in a positive way. It is timely, reasonable and rational to be talking about ending partition and moving towards a united Ireland. 20 years ago around this time the border roads campaign was in place. Local communities succeeded in getting rid of the dragon’s teeth and the permanent vehicle checkpoints. Its now time to remove the remaining barriers to progress” he concluded.

Speaking in the same section Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin spoke of the work of the Oireachtas Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement which was established in 2007. Outlining Sinn Fein’s approach to the committee Deputy Ó Caoláin said “We stated at the time that its establishment was welcome but short of what we in Sinn Féin believe is necessary. Since the Good Friday Agreement Sinn Féin has argued strongly for a much greater level of engagement on the Agreement by the Oireachtas. We have called for representation in the Dáil for citizens in the Six Counties. We maintain this call and we do not see the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement as a substitute for Six-County representation in the Dáil.

“For a long number of years partitionism has been actively fostered in this State and it is still a major problem, in spite of all the progress made in the Peace Process.

“Do we constantly have to remind journalists and broadcasters and State agencies and people in public life that Ireland does not stop at Dundalk or Monaghan or Lifford?

“The population of Ireland is 5.9 million, not 4.2 million.

“The United Ireland we seek is not a 32-County version of the State and the economy of the 26 Counties. It is not a cobbling together of the two existing jurisdictions. It is a new dispensation, a new political reality on this island.

“The question should not be ‘Can we afford a United Ireland’? The question should be ‘Can we afford not to unite Ireland?’ We have a small island with three governments in Dublin, Belfast and Westminster. As our proposed Mission Statement on Irish Unity states:

“Partition disrupts and distorts community, social and cultural life as well as trade and commerce, and entails waste and duplication in public services. The full social, economic, cultural and political potential of the island of Ireland and its people can best be realised in the context of an end to partition.”

“The historic mission of this party is to end Partition and build a New Ireland” the Sinn Féin Dáil leader concluded.

Highlights of the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis, including video coverage, can be accessed at the party’s website http://www.sinnfein.ie/

Sinn Féin Ard Fheis calls for radical action to create jobs

Among the key themes at the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis was the need to create jobs and rejuvenate the economy. Delegates endorsed detailed policy proposals aimed at getting Ireland back to work. Speaker after speaker highlighted the failures of the current Fianna Fáil/ Green Party government but also the policies of Fine Gael which were described as no different to the positions of the current government.

Speaking live on RTÉ and BBC on Saturday morning Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin argued the need for the protection of public services from cutbacks and the need to integrate public services North and South.

He said: “Public Services are under attack because Fianna Fáil-led Governments by their bad policies and bad management over the past 12 years have bankrupted the economy. And how are they trying to fix it?

“Not by calling to account the bankers and developers and property speculators and the so-called regulators who caused it. Not by making the wealthy pay their fair share.

“No, the Fianna Fáil solution is to slash the wages of low paid workers, slash social welfare and slash public services. Public services are being undermined and public servants are being demonised.

“Who are these public servants? They are the nurses who care for people in hospital and in the community. They are the teachers who teach our children. They are the firefighters and gardai who protect our communities. They are the workers who keep our water flowing and our streets clean.

“In the past year as recession deepened and as the Fianna Fáil/Green Government cut savagely into our public services, Sinn Féin representatives in the Oireachtas, on local authorities and in our communities have been battling side by side in solidarity with all those who are determined to maintain vital public services.

“We have highlighted the heartlessness of a Government that could take €8.50 per week out of the pockets of people who are caring for elderly or disabled relatives in their homes. We have opposed the plans of a Government that wants to fatally damage our health services by taking a further 1,100 acute hospital beds out of the system in 2010. We have stood against a Government that trumpets its commitment to education but that condemns children to learn in pre-fabs and takes support away from children with special needs.

“But we have done more. We have presented our real, viable alternatives, based on fairness, efficiency and the delivery of better services to the people. And those services will be delivered better also on an all-Ireland basis. We must end the duplication of Departments and agencies and systems on this small island and integrate our public services” he concluded.

NAMA

Later on Saturday Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin led the party’s charge against NAMA stating: “There is no doubt about who Fianna Fáil and the Greens are serving with NAMA. It is a bailout for the greediest and the most corrupt in Irish society.

“Throughout the so-called Celtic Tiger years, Fianna Fáil-led Governments pampered this elite group. They allowed them to benefit from massive tax breaks at unknown cost to the State. They allowed them to determine the State’s housing policy – a policy which was no policy but to let the market drive everything. And it drove property prices to unreal and unsustainable levels and drove the economy over a cliff.

“It drove a frenzy of greed for property, inducing many who could not afford to do so, to borrow to buy in the grossly inflated market. It drove debt to levels previously unknown in this country. It was fuelled by cheap loans supplied by a banking system corrupted by the culture of greed that saw massive salaries, bonuses and perks lavished at all senior levels in the financial institutions.

“Who are the biggest losers in all of this? Not the bankers and the property speculators who did the crime because they will never do the time. Not the politicians who facilitated them because no-one in Fianna Fáil or the PDs and now the Green Party ever admit any responsibility for anything and they are never made to pay the price for their disastrous policies and disastrous management.

“No, the real losers in all of this are the hundreds of thousands who have lost their jobs, they are the families saddled with massive mortgages for whom the fear of losing their homes is a constant in their daily lives, they are the lower and middle income earners who are being punished by savage Budget cuts, they are the young with no prospects of work at home, the carers and cared for, the children with special educational needs and the blind. In this society today people are forced to pass on a doctor’s visit or on their medication because they have to meet other pressing needs for themselves and their families.

“The restructured banking sector envisaged by Sinn Féin goes far beyond just restoring normality to the system. There was nothing normal about a sector that systematically overcharged customers, was complicit in tax evasion and routinely withdrew access to financial services from working class and rural areas because of profit pursuit. As well as intense regulation of the sector, Sinn Féin wants to see a banking system that contributes to the greater good of an economy that serves society as a whole. We also want to see all those who participated in and encouraged the practices that brought about the current crisis held to account and criminal convictions pursued” he said.

McCarthy Report

In his remarks North Monaghan Councillor, Brian McKenna said that the government has no mandate to implement the McCarthy report. “Fianna Fáil were elected on promises of lower taxes and higher spending while the Green Party were elected on a promise of delivering world peace” he joked.

“Since then we have seen broken promise after broken promise. In County Monaghan we have seen the removal of hospital services and the slashing of community funding right across the board. The McCarthy report is being implemented by stealth.

“Across this state we are seeing the outworking of a report that was drafted by right-wing economists at the behest of a right wing government. Any further implementation of the McCarthy report will devastate healthcare for the sick, education for children, care for older people and social supports for all those who need them.

“Having refused to accept responsibility for the economic recession which was caused by its policies, the Government is now using the McCarthy report as the basis for cuts that will hit the most vulnerable the hardest. At the same time it is trying to claim credit when it does not implement some of the harshest measures.

“This Fianna Fáil and Green Party Government have no mandate to implement any such programme. Therefore it should put this programme before the people in a General Election. Let the Government parties and indeed all parties set out their plans to address the economic crisis and let the people decide” Cllr. McKenna stated.

Education

During the education section County Monaghan schoolteacher, Enda Tourish outlined the implications that government cutbacks have already had on the education of young people. He also outlined the anger felt by many teachers at the manner in which wage cuts have been implemented by the government. “Teachers and children and others who provide and use public services are the people who are paying the heaviest price of Fianna Fáil in power” he said.

Providing an effective opposition

Speaking at the Ard Fheis South Monaghan Councillor, Matt Carthy, stated that it was Sinn Féin alone who would represent the needs of those people who were let down by Fianna Fáil over the past decade.

He said: “Unemployment, poverty, emigration and partition are realities for this generation just as they were for our counterparts in the thirties, the fifties, the eighties.

“And why are we back to this point? Because the same politics, implemented by the same parties, continues to dominate this state.

“We have a government that refuses to stand up to the vested interests that created an economic crisis; that forces hundreds of thousands of young people to live in poverty or to move abroad. A government that bails out the banks but shrugs as they tell local communities ‘the money’s just not there’.

“And standing in the wings, ready to take power simply because people are so fed up with Fianna Fail are Fine Gael and Labour.

“We don’t have to wait until they’re in power to know they will be no different.

“When Fianna Fáil were privatising state assets, crippling broadband provision, wiping out the Irish sugar industry and costing thousands of Irish jobs in companies like Aer Lingus– Fine Gael supported them.

“When Fianna Fáil cut the wages and living conditions of the low paid and the unemployed – Fine Gael promised they could do worse.

“And while Fianna Fáil have gutted services from hospitals such as in Monaghan – Fine Gael have said they will not restore them.

“These parties don’t represent the young unemployed or family farmers, or low paid workers or are those who want to see a United Ireland.

“In Sinn Féin we know whose side we’re on and we don’t care if the media, or big business, or the cosy political cartel don’t like it.

“We’re on the side of jobs for our young people. We’re on the side of fair play for local communities. We’re on the side of a health service that doesn’t care how much money is in your bank account.

“Put simply, we’re on the side of the Irish people so let’s take that message to the country.

“Ireland, now, more than ever needs a strong Sinn Féin. Let us go into our communities and deliver just that”.

“Monaghan Patients Denied Access to Recuperation in Monaghan Hospital!” - McKenna

The Sinn Féin member on the Regional Health Forum, Brian McKenna, has described as “scandalous” the confirmation from the HSE this week that Monaghan patients who have procedures carried out in any hospital other than Cavan General cannot and will not be repatriated to recuperate and recover in Monaghan. This is despite the fact that 26 non-acute beds had been set aside in the hospital under the North-East Transformation Programme.

The North Monaghan councillor was speaking after making representation to the HSE on behalf of two Monaghan patients, one from Cavan Hospital and the other from Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda, to be repatriated to Monaghan hospital to recuperate following recent procedures.

Speaking this week an angry Cllr McKenna said: “This, in my opinion, represents yet another u-turn on the part of the HSE in relation to what they promised the people of this county under the North-East Transformation Programme. We were told that the 50 acute beds in Monaghan General Hospital would be reduced to 26 non-acute, 13 of which would be for rehabilitation and 13 a mixture of step-down/ respite/ convalescent beds. The HSE are now saying these beds are only for patients who are referred back from a stay in Cavan Hospital and if a patient is returning from Drogheda or a Dublin Hospital then they must go home or possibly to a nursing home if one can be found with a free bed.

“This is outrageous and a breach of trust and faith by the HSE with the people of this county. I would encourage families to refuse to accept family members from Drogheda or Dublin hospitals who return within days of operations and have no facilities or family members to look after them. This is an issue I intend to raise at the next meeting of the Regional Health Forum”.

Cllr. McKenna also called on local Fianna Fáil representatives to “once and for all get of the sidelines” on the issue of Monaghan General Hospital. The fact is that this government can intervene to not only resolve this issue but indeed ensure that all services previously removed can be restored to our hospital. Unfortunately the local Fianna Fáil councillors and TD’s have shown little appetite to stand up to their own party on this issue.

“It is also ironic that this news has been revealed just a little over a week since the Fine Gael members joined Fianna Fáil in ensuring that visiting Ministers to our county can now waltz in without being confronted on this issue by elected representatives in an official capacity.”

Brian McKenna slams ‘sneaky’ Taoiseach visit

North Monaghan Councillor, Brian McKenna, has stated that the visit by Taoiseach Brian Cowen to Monaghan on Monday was ‘sneaky’. The Sinn Féin representative slammed the fact that Mr. Cowen, just like his predecessor Bertie Ahern, has continuously refused to visit Monaghan General Hospital or to even meet with local councillors to discuss the issue of health services in this county.

Cllr. McKenna welcomed the news for the VEC and congratulated all elected opinion and VEC officials for their efforts in securing the new facility at the former barracks.

However, according to Cllr. McKenna “The manner of Brian Cowen’s visit says more about the Taoiseach and the Fianna Fáil party than anything else. Considering that the Taoiseach has refused numerous requests to visit Monaghan General Hospital or to even meet local councillors to discuss the issue it is strange that he can sneak into the county on a Monday morning without giving advance notice speaks volumes.

“His refusal to meet the elected representatives of County Monaghan to hear their concerns and the concerns of the people following the closure of services in our hospital is nothing short of a disgrace. Fianna Fáil, in a very underhanded way, ensured that Acute Medical Services at Monaghan General Hospital, were withdrawn only after the local elections.

“Now Fianna Fáil Councillors and TD’s are doing all in their power to have the issue ‘forgotten’ by the electorate. The fact that these local Fianna Fáil Councillors and TD’s collude in secret visits to County Monaghan by Ministers and the Taoiseach shows the commitment, or lack of it, that they have for the retention and development of services at our hospital”.

Cllr. Brian McKenna also stated that he, and his Sinn Féin colleagues, would always welcome good news for our county. He said that his party were particularly pleased that the site of the former barracks (which regrettably was closed down by this government) would be now used for the development of MIFET, gaelscoil, gaelcholáiste and other VEC facilities especially as the original proposal in this regard emanated from his colleague, Seán Conlon. However Sinn Féin he said would “not allow the Taoiseach or any other member of government to sneak into the county while so many other services and initiatives had been robbed from Monaghan by Fianna Fáil, not least from our local hospital.”