Harney faces vital Dáil vote

EMBATTLED Health Minister Mary Harney faces a vote of no confidence when the Dáil resumes on Tuesday following stinging criticism from opposition parties yesterday.

The escalating cancer crisis prompted Labour and Fine Gael to table a motion of no confidence in the minister.

Labour’s health spokeswoman, Jan O’Sullivan, said the motion is a “very serious development”.

“The disclosures about the failures in cancer screening and care at the Midland Hospital, Portlaoise, and the questions that have been raised about the subsequent handling of the disclosure of information by the Department of Health and the HSE, are of such seriousness that they cannot be ignored by the Dáil,” she said.

The Limerick East TD said the public’s patience had now expired. She deemed Ms Harney’s claim that she had not been informed of the 97 women being recalled for surgical review as symptomatic of how “out of touch” she is.

Her concerns were echoed by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who said he was “appalled” by the events in Portlaoise hospital.

“And I am appalled at the attitude of the minister in this case. Minister Harney has portrayed herself as a victim.

“She can’t get details, she wasn’t told, she’s been kept in the dark. This is her job.

“I believe the time has now come for Minister Harney to resign,” he said.

However, Ms Harney resisted calls for her resignation, insisting that she would not “walk off the pitch” because she wanted to introduce health service reforms.

Ms Harney said she was “not going to talk about heads rolling”. However, she added: “I think people have to be accountable.

“There’s no doubt about that, and there’s a responsibility now for the board of the HSE to investigate the circumstances surrounding this and to account to me in relation to that matter.”