Martin ‘not in dispute with McCreevy’

HEALTH MINISTER Michéal Martin denied yesterday that he was in dispute with Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy, despite an apparent sideswipe by the Mr McCreevy at certain Cabinet colleagues.

Mr Martin has blamed the failure to open €460 million worth of new hospital facilities, drastically needed in the health service, on the financial constraints imposed by Mr McCreevy.

Responding to his critics yesterday, in what was interpreted as a dig at particular high-profile ministers, Mr McCreevy said some politicians always blamed somebody else, but he repeatedly urged Government colleagues to take action to initiate change.

“You are the minister and if you are not satisfied with the agencies under your remit and the way they are delivering, do something about it. You have the power and you are not going to have it forever and stop crying and whingeing about other things. Get up and do it. I have always believed that if you do the right thing economically that it will pay off for you eventually,” he said.

But yesterday, Mr Martin said he hoped the improving economic situation would allow Mr McCreevy to release the necessary funding to allow the opening of the hospital facilities lying idle.

“The two constraints at the moment would be additional revenue funding and the employment ceiling, but we are working with the Department of Finance,” he said.

Despite his dissatisfaction with financial constraints, Mr Martin said he was not in dispute with Mr McCreevy. “I work with Charlie McCreevy. The Government will take a decision on this collectively in the coming weeks. Charlie is fully aware of the issues,” he said.

Also yesterday, Mr Martin called on all sporting organisations to follow the lead of the GAA and set up alcohol task forces.

Mr Martin welcomed the report of the GAA task force, which was published on Tuesday. “I think it is good that a major sporting organisation like the GAA has given a thoughtful and considered approach to the issue to alcohol and society,” said Mr Martin.

“I think other sporting organisations could follow suit in terms of establishing task forces within their own organisation, because this is a society issue, not just a Government issue.”

The GAA task force recommended a “phasing out” of alcohol branding and sponsorship at club and county level over the next two years.

But the fate of the Guinness sponsorship, which was renewed for another two years last month, was kicked to touch until 2005, when the deal expires.

Mr Martin said he was drafting legislation to protect young people from alcohol advertising.

“This is in terms of the content of advertising and perhaps timing of advertising and access of young people. This will not just be television, but will also cover bus stations, schools, etc.”

Last month, the Oireachtas Committee on Health recommended a ban on all sponsorship by drinks companies at sporting events.

Guinness is involved in sponsorship in other sports, including rugby and is the official beer to the IRFU and sponsor of the Guinness Interprovincial Championship.

Heineken is sponsor of the Heineken European Cup, organised by the Dublin-based European Rugby Cup.

Irish Distillers and Budweiser are prominent sponsors in horse racing, including Fairyhouse and the Irish Derby.

Beamish sponsor St Vincent’s Hurling and Football GAA Club in Dublin and the Beamish Stout Munster Senior League.

Mr Martin was speaking yesterday at the opening of the Dublin City University School of Nursing, which received €25m in department funding.

A spokesman for the IRFU said they were “not formally in receipt of the minister’s sentiments”.

He said they would be seeking the GAA’s report.