THE GOVERNMENT has insisted it will not change its cancer strategy, despite Fine Gael plans to force dissident Fianna Fáil TDs into a Dáil vote on the issue in October.
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan emphasised yesterday there would be no U-turn on removal of some cancer services from Sligo General Hospital.
She said Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s leadership was not similar to some of his predecessors.
“I think it’s important to say that the Taoiseach’s view of participation within the parliamentary party is based on principles. It’s based on loyalty,” she said.
The two Sligo TDs who resigned the party whip, Jimmy Devins and Eamon Scanlon, had a lengthy meeting with the Taoiseach last week during which they spelled out their likely action if the plan to curtail cancer services went ahead.
Mr Cowen told them that cancer policy would be based on the best clinical advice and would not be swayed by political considerations.
A Fine Gael spokesman said last night that the party was likely to address the issue at an early stage in the next Dáil session. “We will give Jimmy Devins and Eamon Scanlon every opportunity to vote for the restoration of the cancer services in Sligo,” he added.
Mr Scanlon insisted he would welcome the opportunity to vote in favour of a private members’ motion calling for the retention of the unit.
He denied a claim by local Fine Gael TD John Perry that the resignation of the whip was meaningless. “It’s like asking me to change my religion,” he said.
Dr Devins said that the two resignations would demonstrate to senior party figures and to the Taoiseach “how strongly we feel”.
He added that he supported Mr Cowen’s mandate as leader of the party and as Taoiseach.
Mr Perry accused the two TDs of engaging with the Taoiseach in a charade. “It was very well choreographed with the Taoiseach made to look like the strong leader and the two presenting themselves as local heroes – a classic case of good cop, bad cop.”
Two more Fianna Fáil politicians joined the controversy yesterday saying they might have to vote against the Government on health issues.
Dr James McDaid, who lost the whip for defying the party line on cervical cancer, told Eamon Keane on Newstalk that he would be very much on the side of the two Sligo TDs in any vote that affected the health of those living in the northwest.
“I would have to certainly examine my conscience if a motion was put up pertaining to the situation in the northwest,” he said. He also said it was difficult to see the Government lasting its full term: “To tell you the truth, I have often said previously that there should be a general election because Fianna Fáil is taking all of the blame, and perhaps rightly so in some situations.”
Tipperary South Fianna Fáil TD Mattie McGrath said that he would not be prepared to vote for the downgrading of Clonmel hospital.