Dail suspended four times during Cork cancer services row

The Dáil was suspended four times yesterday as two Cork deputies were expelled from the House during a furious row over cancer services in the southern region. A third Cork TD left the House in protest at the "disrespect" shown to Cork deputies.

Fine Gael TD Bernard Allen (Cork, North Central) and his constituency colleague Labour TD Kathleen Lynch were suspended.

Green Party deputy Dan Boyle (Cork South Central) left in protest and Government deputy Billy Kelleher (FF, Cork North Central) asked for the issue to be dealt with through an adjournment debate.

Mr Allen was first to be suspended. He repeatedly intervened during leaders' questions in a row over a letter in the Irish Examiner by a Cork correspondent who said he was the only consultant oncologist for 500,000 people.

Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon suspended Mr Allen for what he called "gross disorder". When the Fine Gael deputy refused to leave, the House was suspended three times until he finally left.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said: "Deputy Allen pointed out to the Taoiseach that he received a letter from the Health Service Executive today confirming that there is a two-year waiting list for mammograms in Cork.

"The Taoiseach did not have a copy of that letter and clearly was not aware of its contents."

But Dr O'Hanlon said that Mr Allen had interrupted during questions from three Opposition leaders to the Taoiseach.

Mr Allen said he had requested a debate under standing order 31 on the issue, he had tabled a special notice question and he had sought an adjournment debate "on a life-and-death issue" but was refused. He then withdrew.

Ms Lynch then stood in protest, as Government backbenchers jeered and suggested she hurry because Mr Allen was already giving media interviews.

Ms Lynch said it was outrageous that Mr Allen should be asked to leave because he had raised a serious issue about the health of cancer patients in Munster and then "to ask the press to leave in order that the event would not be recorded". When she refused to leave, the House was suspended again.

After the fourth suspension of the House Ms Lynch left, at which point Mr Boyle rose to his feet and asked why adjournment debates on the issue had been refused.

"We have witnessed a farce today where no real answers have been given about a second-class health service in the Cork region," he said.

When Dr O'Hanlon said the Green Party TD was being disorderly and should resume his seat, Mr Boyle said: "I am leaving the House of my own volition because of the disrespect shown to Cork deputies who are highlighting a second-class health service."