Greens call on Minister to reverse SARS decision

The Green Party today repeated its call on Minister Michéal Martin to reverse his decision to prevent athletes from SARS affected areas from travelling to Ireland.

Green party chairman and health spokesperson John Gormley TD said the statement today from Dr Joe Barry made it very clear that the expert committee decision would have been different had it been headed up by Dr Darina O'Flanagan.

"Dr. Joe Barry's statement today on RTE is the most damning indictment yet of Minister Martin's decision. Dr Barry made it clear that had Dr Darina O'Flanagan headed up the expert group there would have been no decision to ban athletes from SARS affected areas. Minister Martin now has an opportunity to reflect on this over the top and inconsistent decision," he said.

Mr Gormley also went on to point out that if the Minister fails to reverse this decision then these games will be remembered for SARS and not for sport.