THE TWO Fianna Fáil TDs who resigned the whip in protest at the removal of cancer services from Sligo General Hospital face likely Opposition pressure in the Dáil next month to take a stand against the Government’s health policies.
The Sligo-North Leitrim TDs were at the centre of a political storm yesterday as cancer campaigners accused them of engaging in a choreographed charade, while the Fianna Fáil organiser in the constituency said their actions could precipitate a general election.
As deputies Jimmy Devins and Eamon Scanlon denied that their resignations were a “sham”, local Fine Gael TD John Perry said it would cost them nothing to vote against the Government if a private member’s motion was brought before the Dáil next month calling for the retention of the Sligo breast cancer unit.
Mr Perry said Fine Gael would be looking at a range of options, ranging from a private member’s motion to a no confidence motion on Government “mismanagement” of the massive health budget.
“A private member’s motion could be an escape route for them as these things can be arranged with the whips and there can be agreements about pairs,” Mr Perry said. The options would be examined at a Fine Gael meeting early next month and an appropriate motion would be put before the Dáil at the earliest opportunity.
Mr Scanlon insisted yesterday that he would welcome the opportunity to vote in favour of a private member’s motion calling for the retention of the unit.
He rejected claims that the resignation of the whip was meaningless, saying that as someone who had been active in the party for 35 years in roles at cumann level and as county councillor, senator and TD, it had not been an easy decision. “It’s like asking me to change my religion,” he said.
The Ballymote-based TD said he hoped that even at this late stage, common sense would prevail.
Mr Devins said the two resignations would demonstrate to senior party figures and to the Taoiseach “how strongly we feel”. He supported Mr Cowen’s mandate as leader of the party and as Taoiseach.
Mr Perry claimed that the two Fianna Fáil TDs had engaged 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.
“They took this action a couple of hours before the unit closed when the Dáil was not available for a debate, but the people of this region will not be mocked,” Mr Perry said.
Mayor of Sligo Jimmy McGarry (Labour), called on all Fianna Fáil Oireachtas members in the northwest to resign the party whip. The councillor said that while many people believed the action of the two Co Sligo-based TDs was “too little too late”, he believed it was the start of a process which could save the unit.
Gerald O’Connor, Fianna Fáil constituency organiser in Sligo-North Leitrim, told Ocean FM radio that the resignations were unprecedented and could have serious repercussions.
He said that the actions of the two TDs could precipitate a general election. “There is no doubt that we are now nearer to that than we were.”