Ahern accused of betraying patients

OPPOSITION leaders last night accused the Taoiseach of betraying cancer patients as the row over the Portlaoise misdiagnosis scandal dominated the Dáil.

Labour’s Eamon Gilmore tore into Bertie Ahern over what he said were unacceptable delays in improving cancer treatment.

The Taoiseach indicated a “systems failure” was not the reason for the problems exposed at Portlaoise as he insisted the Government was committed to creating a “world class” service for cancer victims. Mr Gilmore said cancer specialists were concerned at delays in creating centres of excellence.