Fianna Fáil TDs criticised by Sligo hospital campaigners

The decision by two Fianna Fáil TDs to resign the party whip in a row over cancer services in the north-west has been criticised by lobbyists in the area.

Save Our Cancer Services North-West have said that Jimmy Devin’s and Eamon Scanlon’s decision is too little too late.

Spokesperson Lily McMorrow said that the length of time taken for the politicians to make this decision was no help to the services in the area,

“The fact of them waiting so long, it's 19 months, nearly two years, (since the decision was made) and to come out now at this eleventh hour, the services still are not saved.”

Breast surgery and diagnostic services will be transferred from Sligo to Galway today.

The campaign group said the decision is meaningless because both men may still support the Government on other issues.

Ms. McMorrow however does believe that the decision to remove the services from Sligo will have an impact on the Government,

“Most of the Fianna Fáil on ground level are really, really backing our cancer services and they are sickened by the whole idea of the services being removed because they know quite well that the services really, really work.

“So it's going to have a ripple effect I think on the whole Fianna Fáil party and on the Government.”