Mary Harney defends records as Health Minister

Sykk

RT&#201 wrote: »

Minister for Health Mary Harney has defended her record at the Department of Health.
Ms Harney dismissed calls for her resignation over the Tallaght Hospital X-ray scandal, saying it was 'unique' to Ireland for politicians to be blamed for medical errors.
Speaking to RTÉ News in Dublin this morning, the Minister said she was 'very privileged' and 'delighted' to be appointed for a fourth time as Minister for Health.
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She highlighted improvements in the health service, especially in heart and cancer care, over the past five years.
However, she admitted that pressure points remained and that there was 'no magic wand'.
She said she was 'very concerned' as details emerged about Tallaght Hospital while she was in New Zealand.
Minister Harney said the situation was unacceptable, questions had to be answered and that everything was being done to clear up the issue.
She also referred again to her re-appointment to Cabinet as an Independent, saying the political landscape in Ireland had changed and so had the role of Independents.
However, the Irish Hospital Consultants' Association has criticised Minister Harney's remarks on the x-ray scandal at Tallaght.
IHCA Assistant Secretary General Donal Duffy said the comments were premature given that a HSE investigation has just begun and no finding of medical error has been made.

So after 57,000 X-rays and 3,500 GP letters not reviewed at Tallaght. Using her private jet that cost taxpayers over €700,000 in under 3 years.. This one still hasn't resigned.. And rather is kept on for a 4th time? This cheeses me off.

What do you think?

maynooth_rules

Fianna Fail know Health is a poison chalice at the moment and none of them want to touch it. That is why they have Harney there. In the future if when people give out about Health in this country FF can simply say that the Minister for Health was not a member of their party. Yet another reason, amongst the hundreds we already have to get this stinking, inept FF led government out as soon as possible. Poor Mary's husband will have to actually pay to travel to New Zealand then, instead of at the taxpayers expense

mikom

Speaking to RTÉ News in Dublin this morning, the Minister said she was 'very privileged' and 'delighted' to be appointed for a fourth time as Minister for Health.
She highlighted improvements in the health service, especially in heart and cancer care, over the past five years.
She said she was 'very concerned' as details emerged about Tallaght Hospital while she was in New Zealand.
Minister Harney said the situation was unacceptable, questions had to be answered and that everything was being done to clear up the issue.

"Everything is gonna be fine."

Biggins

I could say something but it seems the mafia that is our government is ignoring us all any way including that now gross inadequate lump that is now just a drain on the state financially.

Traumadoc

She referred to the Talaght situation and how ministers could not be held accountable for medical error, but I believe that there was no medical error, instead there were too many xrays and too few radiologists- this is not medical error, this is resource issue and surely the minister does have responsibility.

Funkfield

Shouldn't this be in AH cos it's obviously a joke :pac:

IrishTonyO

Nothing is ever Mary Harney's fault, that is one of the main reason she set up the HSE so she can refer questions and blame to them.
Her husband using tax payers money for jollies is not her fault either.
Taking a state helicopter to open a friends off licence is not her fault
The fact she appointed him chairman of FAS when she was seeing him, is not her fault.

Anything that goes wrong is not her fault, reckon we should christen her the 'Virgin Mary', then again that name is actual believable