Harney passionately defends record in Dáil

In a robust defence of her actions amid angry scenes in Dail Éireann tonight, Mary Harney has apologised to the nine women recently diagnosed with having cancer after having previously been told that they were clear of the disease.

In a robust defence of her actions amid angry scenes in Dail Éireann tonight, Mary Harney has apologised to the nine women recently diagnosed with cancer after having previously been told that they were clear of the disease.

“I want to begin by apologising to the patients of the former Midland Health Board, particularly the patients of Portlaoise,” she said.

She also said it was wrong that the first the women heard of the review was through the media, and not directly, and she has said that it will never occur in the future.

“That should never have happened, and it will not happen again,” she said.

“I have ensured that from here on in, patients will hear directly from the health service before they ever hear (of medical issues) on the airwaves.”

During the motion of no confidence tabled by Labour, Ms Harney said that she is only concerned with patients, and has been ever since she became the Minister for Health.

She outlined how she had put patients first in all of her actions, such as putting lay people on boards ahead of fully qualified professionals.

“In everything I’ve done since I’ve become Minister for Health and Children, I’ve put patients first,” she said.

She has been condemned by the Opposition for her handling of the recent cancer misdiagnosis, but vows to continue in her present portfolio.