Government lost moral authority

In an overall societal sense this Government crossed the line of decency a long time ago.

However, I would imagine James Reilly’s move to rob medical cards from non-terminal cancer suffers will enrage anybody who has ever witnessed a loved one receive a cancer diagnosis, deal with the psychological fallout of that news, suffer from the disease every day and then see them fighting to preserve their sense of self as they balance on the threshold.

Yes, there are varying levels of “seriousness” but that is not an acceptable rational for starting discretionary medical card support at terminal stage.

If only these self-aggrandising politicians showed a similar level of disdain for corrupt bankers and toxic financial institutions.

The message from the Irish Government is clear — if you are an arrogant, wealthy banking executive, who swindled the people out of billions, then you will be supported to the hilt. In fact you will be retained in your job, given a nice bonus and a big pension. However, if you are an ordinary citizen, living with cancer, then we just might have to remove our support.

This Government may have an electoral mandate but they no longer have a moral authority to govern the country.

They support corrupt bankers, persecute cancer patients and then call it “fiscal conservatism” as if the use of such terminology somehow legitimises a philosophical perspective in which the social and economic marginalisation of ordinary people is central.

I wonder where Cork Government TDs stand on this?

One is the chairperson of the Oireachtas Health Committee, another is a Minister of State at the Department of Health. Both, in doubt, enjoy regular access to the minister. It is bizarre that these individuals are allowed to hide in the background when such heartless cuts are made.

This career-defining cowering is tolerated, despite the fact that these positions command even more inflated salaries than that of a regular TD.

They will no doubt respond with meaningless phrases like “I am confident that provisions will be made for people”.

However, definitions of these provisions will be scarce and then just try being a patient trying to access these provisions — because in practice they won’t exist.

These same TDs will have no problem making sure that they are at high-exposure Marymount and Irish Cancer Society functions though. They may support these charities in a personal capacity but this is negated when, as legislators, they act against the welfare of cancer patients. The callous hypocrisy abounds.

Darren O’Keeffe

Model Farm Rd

Cork City