PDs deny Harney snubbed city over Dáil cancer debate

THE Progressive Democrats yesterday denied that Tánaiste Mary Harney had snubbed Cork by her absence from a Dáil debate on cancer services.

Senator John Minihan dismissed the allegation by Fine Gael's Bernard Allen that Ms Harney had given "two fingers" to the people of Cork when she wasn't present at the debate on the letter written to her by Cork consultant Dr Seamus O'Reilly.

Mr Minihan said that Junior Health Minister Tim O'Malley had apologised on behalf of Ms Harney, who was attending an engagement to which she had previously committed.