THE Church of Ireland Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, Dr James Mehaffey, has welcomed a decision to continue the vasectomy service at Letterkenny General Hospital in Co Donegal.
Members of the North Western Health Board yesterday voted by 19 to five in favour of continuing the service there.
It emerged during yesterday's meeting that of the 29 consultants who work at the hospital, 23 were in favour of the vasectomy clinic being based there.
The service began at the hospital on March 14th and was picketed by Pro-Life Campaign, Family Solidarity and Independent Fianna Fail members, including two consultant doctors who work at the hospital.
Patient appointments for the service were suspended by the health board at its last meeting on March 20th, pending further consideration.
Last night, Dr Mehaffey said he felt that most people would agree the health board's decision yesterday was the right one.
It has also been welcomed by the Fianna Fail TD for Donegal North-East, Dr Jim McDaid, who said the controversy had been "a sorry episode for Donegal" and was not a true reflection of people's feelings in the county on the issue.
He had no doubt that the availability of the service would mean fewer women going to England for abortions.
Labour's Senator Sean Maloney welcomed the news too, and was "particularly pleased the decision was so clear cut".
However, Independent Fianna Fail councillor and chairman of the North-Western Health Board, Mr Harry Blaney, is still opposed to the service.
Yesterday's vote followed a lengthy and often heated debate at the board's headquarters in Manorhamilton, Co Leitrim. Mr Blaney proposed that recommendations for the continuation of the service, from the board's two standing committees, be rejected.
