OPPOSITION LEADERS are expected to challenge Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore in the Dáil today over pre-election promises to retain the emergency unit at Roscommon County Hospital.
The Labour leader is likely to come under pressure over a local radio interview on September 15th when he said: “The Labour Party policy will be to retain Roscommon hospital and to retain all of the services.” Specifically asked on Shannonside FM if 24-hour AE services would be retained, he replied: “That is the Labour Party policy.”
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has called on the Taoiseach to correct the record of the Dáil when he comes into the House today, claiming Mr Kenny misled deputies.
On Sunday night, Mr Kenny issued a statement expressing regret over “any confusion” after a recording emerged of him telling a Fine Gael rally in Roscommon in February that Fine Gael was “committed to maintaining the services in Roscommon County Hospital”.
Hundreds protested outside the emergency department at Roscommon County Hospital yesterday over the downgrading of services. The department was yesterday replaced by an “urgent care centre” operating from 8am to 8pm.
“Fine Gael and the Labour Party misled voters . . . The attempts to spin their way out of this cynicism is only adding to people’s hurt and anger,” Mr Martin said. Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams said the controversy had turned into an “issue of credibility” for the Taoiseach.
On Newstalk radio yesterday, Mr Gilmore said: “In line with the Labour Party policy, I did say that, yes, the Labour Party was in favour of keeping hospital services local, the maintenance of local services.”
Socialist Party TD Clare Daly said confirmation Mr Kenny made a promise which he later denied, “truly represents the ending of the Government’s honeymoon phase”.
Roscommon-based Labour Senator John Kelly rejected Sinn Féin claims he had misled voters with the slogan: “Vote for Labour to secure the future of Roscommon hospital.”
Roscommon Hospital Action Committee said it was “not surprised” Mr Gilmore had given “false” promises.
Pressure was continuing to mount within Fine Gael’s local party organisation following yesterday’s decision by two councillors to resign over the hospital row. Mid-Roscommon councillors Dominic Connolly and Laurence Fallon remain as grassroots members, but have resigned from the party whip. The party’s Roscommon-South Leitrim public relations officer Michael Frain has resigned completely. A part-time firefighter, he said he knew how important the emergency department was.