Health Minister Reilly's "Stroke Politics"

[ang]

Phil Prendergast MEP - Open Letter on Minister Reilly Affair -

A Chara,

As a nurse and midwife by training, and as a public representative, I am absolutely convinced that the two most important pieces of reform this government must deliver on are healthcare reform and political reform. Events over the past few weeks show the link between the two, and show how urgently we must pursue these reforms.

I argued, and continue to argue, that the Minister for Health James Reilly needs to consider his position. I do this because his tampering with the list to add two primary care centres to his own constituency in North Dublin was irresponsible and wrong.

It was irresponsible because it undermines peoples’ confidence in the government, at a time when we need it most. This point was argued by the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore when he said that there was “another context” and that the country needed stability.

His actions were wrong because, in prioritising North Dublin, he has effectively robbed other needy communities up and down the country of a primary care centre to which they may have had a greater claim than Balbriggan or Swords. His decision conferred financial advantage on his friend, a developer, which he also failed to disclose, and which further undermines the government.

It has been said that, by highlighting and refusing to accept Minister Reilly’s actions, this in some way destabilizes the government. This is inaccurate. It is Minister Reilly’s pork barrel politics which are putting the country in jeopardy, the same politics which have brought us to the brink of ruin.

We have heard a lot about the difficulties of being in coalition and the need to find a way for two polar opposite parties to work together. That way is compromise, and that is only right and proper. However while compromise on policy is difficult but necessary, compromise on ethics is outrageous, and no matter the consequences- real or imaginary- we cannot start compromising on ethics.

I will not stand for this type of politics, the same way the Taoiseach and Tánaiste did not stand for it when they were in Opposition and the pork was being dished out by a politician wearing green instead of blue.

Regards,

Phil Prendergast MEP.

http://www.philprendergast.ie/2012/o...KSgNG8.twitter

[PaddyJoe]

MEP Phil Prendergast's "Open Letter on the Minister Reilly Affair"

I argued, and continue to argue, that the Minister for Health James Reilly needs to consider his position. I do this because his tampering with the list to add two primary care centres to his own constituency in North Dublin was irresponsible and wrong.

I will not stand for this type of politics, the same way the Taoiseach and Tánaiste did not stand for it when they were in Opposition and the pork was being dished out by a politician wearing green instead of blue.

http://www.philprendergast.ie/2012/o...KSgNG8.twitter
Mmm..

[DCon]

love it

[DCon]

Reilly is in the naughty room

MINISTER FOR Health James Reilly failed to answer a Dáil question about the controversial primary care centres he announced earlier this year, Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett has ruled.

Mr Barrett has found that the Fine Gael Minister failed to answer a question about the criteria he used to identify the 35 priority centres that were announced as part of a Government stimulus package announced last July.

He was also found to have failed to detail the process that led to his decision, which resulted in the inclusion of two locations in his Dublin North constituency in the list, as well as other locations which were the subject of lobbying by Government backbenchers.

Mr Barrett was ruling on a complaint made by Sinn Féin health spokesman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin over a question he asked the Minister in late September. This was shortly after controversy broke over Dr Reilly’s addition of 15 locations to the primary care list originally drawn up by his then minister of state, Róisín Shortall.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...325147342.html

[Dr. FIVE]

Reilly response to Ceann Comhairle's request for more info on primary care centres was a 3 month old press release.

coming up on news at one

[PaddyJoe]

Reilly response to Ceann Comhairle's request for more info on primary care centres was a 3 month old press release.

coming up on news at one

O'Caolain says the response 'oozed contempt'
'That wasn't the formal response. It will be issued today" says the Dept of Health.
SF hasn't got it yet, though.

[musashi]

Reilly is in the naughty room

You mean the Dáil main chamber

MINISTER FOR Health James Reilly failed to answer a Dáil question about the controversial primary care centres he announced earlier this year, Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett has ruled.

Mr Barrett has found that the Fine Gael Minister failed to answer a question about the criteria he used to identify the 35 priority centres that were announced as part of a Government stimulus package announced last July.

The main criteria are strokes that will benefit Reilly and his mates.

[fluffybiscuits]

You mean the Dáil main chamber



The main criteria are strokes that will benefit Reilly and his mates.

He wont answer anything for fear of paiting himself in a bad light! Tough jim,you already did!He knows damn well that his decisions are not going to be greeted with welcoming arms...

[musashi]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin joins the turkey-shoot.

The TD had made a complaint to the Ceann Comhairle about the Minister’s failure to answer questions he asked in a written parliamentary question [...]

Mr Ó Caoláin said the subsequent response was a press release and a three-line letter which “oozes contempt”.

He said it was demonstrative of “what is wrong at the helm of the Department of Health and of the Minister’s disposition permeating to all at the highest level within that department”.

Raising the issue on Leaders’ Questions, he asked Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore if he had any concerns about the Minister’s attitude because concerns about Dr Reilly were also being raised by members of the Labour Party.

Mr Gilmore said the issue about Dr Reilly had been dealt with in a no confidence debate which the Government won.

And won handsomely. There are zero dissenting voices on the govt side of the chamber,

[morticia]

Beginning to get in the way of pre-budget scaremongering

well, we can't have that, can we?? 😉👿😱

[PaddyJoe]

James Reilly responded to a Dail question from Pearse Doherty earlier this week:

Deputy Pearse Doherty: To ask the Minister for Health if he or his representatives have had contact with the National Asset Management Agency in respect of a property at 66, 68,70 Dublin Street, Balbriggan, County Dublin; and if so, the dates and nature of the contact.

Minister for Health, James Reilly: My officials and I met once this year with NAMA on 20 April 2012. Within its commercial remit NAMA advises that it is at all times open to proposals which can contribute to the achievement of broader social and economic objectives. In this context many issues of interest to the health services were discussed. A record of the meeting shows that a number of PCC locations were discussed, including Balbriggan. However, no specific address was mentioned.

http://namawinelake.wordpress.com/20...in-april-2012/

[DCon]

The key to Reilly's permanent seat in Dail Eireann sounds very nice

THE primary care centre in the heart of Health Minister James Reilly's constituency will be three storeys tall, offer 10 different types of medical treatments and have a restaurant on site.

Planning permission for the 4,500sqm centre being developed by a Fine Gael donor, on a site in the minister's Dublin North constituency owned by a party supporter, were lodged with the local council this week.

Dr Reilly bumped Balbriggan up the controversial list of primary care centre locations.

http://www.independent.ie/national-n...d-3280405.html

[Slim Buddha]

The key to Reilly's permanent seat in Dail Eireann sounds very nice





http://www.independent.ie/national-n...d-3280405.html

This man is deserving of total contempt. He is not alone.

[fluffybiscuits]

This man is deserving of total contempt. He is not alone.

+1 How he is still minister is beyond me, anyone with any sense of respect would ahve resigned by now ...

[Binn Beal]

Personally, as a member of Fine Gael, I think that the decision to locate the new children's hospital in Lusk is a good one and the contract that has gone to Reilly & Friends PLC makes perfect commercial sense.

Warning: this post may contain irony which some people may find harmful.