BROKEN PROMISES

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has defended the state’s management of taxpayers’ funds and insisted no minister or responsible manager could oversee or condone waste.

His defence came, however, as cystic fibrosis sufferers took to the airwaves to vent their anger at the continued delay in the opening of a dedicated cystic fibrosis unit in St Vincent’s Hospital, in Dublin.

The contract for the 100 beds is only due to be signed next week, despite the fact it was due to open this year.