Senator resigns from FF in protest

Senator Margaret Cox has resigned from Fianna Fáil, citing Government neglect of issues in the West as reason.

The longtime party member handed in her resignation to Taoiseach Bertie Ahern before midday today.

She quit her membership because of what she described as the Government's “ongoing neglect of issues in Galway and the west”.

The senator said the Government had delivered nothing but a string of broken promises.

“We expected Breastcheck in 2003 with the rest of the country - we didn't get it in 2005 when it was promised again we're not even certain it will be here in 2007,” said Ms Cox.

“We expected better access - the outer bypass and motorway to Dublin, we haven't gotten that yet and we expected better hospital facilities in A&E and maternity and paediatric and psychiatric departments, and we haven't gotten that yet, and I felt it was really important to send that message to the Government.”