Plans to downgrade hospital splits FF opinion

PLANS to downgrade Monaghan General Hospital have caused a major split among local Fianna Fáil politicians as the controversial hospital reform plans are set to become major issues in the run-up to the general election.

Two senior Fianna Fáil TDs broke Government ranks on Wednesday night when more than 3,000 people attended a rally to oppose plans to further reduce services at Monaghan.

Ceann Comhairle, Dr Rory O’Hanlon, and Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Brendan Smith, both spoke out against the move.