Burying bad news - Government out of order

In THE midst of the enormous interest in the presidential election in the United States, the Government here made some momentous announcements that were obviously intended to be lost in the glare of the historic international developments.

Health Minister Mary Harney announced that the Health Service Executive was backing out of the planned pre-emptive vaccination programme for 12-year-old girls against the virus that causes cervical cancer. The minister explained that the programme was being cut to save €10 million annually.

In relative terms, this in penny pinching, not just because inaction may ultimately cost much more in financial terms, but more importantly on account of the possible cost in human terms.