Harney fails the test she sets for others

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney has criticised the protesters who threw eggs and cheese at her car for failing to use reasoned debate and democratic methods to further their aims.

This is surely a little hypocritical as at least in the case of her decision to close St Luke’s Cancer Hospital in Dublin, she has used neither.

Campaigners for this existing ‘centre of excellence’ have tried peaceful marches, lobbying, public meetings and this summer handed in 150,000 signatures to the minister while a bill to close St Luke’s was before the Dáil.