From Bad To Worse
22/11/07 23:43 Filed in: Politics
The Portlaoise cancer scandal just seems to be going
from bad to worse.
The HSE announced today that a further 97 patients are to be recalled to have their cases reviewed. Mary Harney reiterated her apology to the Dáil. Her opposite number in Fine Gael called for her resignation.
That's another 97 women who will now have to go through a harrowing ordeal as their cases are reviewed. Ninety-seven mothers, wives, partners, sisters, daughters, friends…
We can call for resignations, but would it make any difference? If Mary Harney was to resign, someone else would have to take over as Minister for Health. No-one in their right mind would want to do the job, and even if anyone did, it's unlikely they would have the ability to sort out the mess that is the health service. Also, resignation would require the notions of principle and responsibility, both of which are completely lacking in this arrogant, self-interested bunch of wastrels we call our government.
Michael O'Leary of Ryanair was on The Last Word this evening and he pointed out that in effect, no-one is running the health service. And he's right. Mary Harney set up the HSE to replace the old health boards, but what she is doing now is to deflect any criticism of her handling of her portfolio onto the Executive itself. But the unions and the other vested interests go over the heads of the HSE to the Department, and when the shit hits the fan, Harney makes sure the fan is pointed in the direction of Professor Brendan Drumm & Co.
The HSE announced today that a further 97 patients are to be recalled to have their cases reviewed. Mary Harney reiterated her apology to the Dáil. Her opposite number in Fine Gael called for her resignation.
That's another 97 women who will now have to go through a harrowing ordeal as their cases are reviewed. Ninety-seven mothers, wives, partners, sisters, daughters, friends…
We can call for resignations, but would it make any difference? If Mary Harney was to resign, someone else would have to take over as Minister for Health. No-one in their right mind would want to do the job, and even if anyone did, it's unlikely they would have the ability to sort out the mess that is the health service. Also, resignation would require the notions of principle and responsibility, both of which are completely lacking in this arrogant, self-interested bunch of wastrels we call our government.
Michael O'Leary of Ryanair was on The Last Word this evening and he pointed out that in effect, no-one is running the health service. And he's right. Mary Harney set up the HSE to replace the old health boards, but what she is doing now is to deflect any criticism of her handling of her portfolio onto the Executive itself. But the unions and the other vested interests go over the heads of the HSE to the Department, and when the shit hits the fan, Harney makes sure the fan is pointed in the direction of Professor Brendan Drumm & Co.