Deputy Seamus Healy has slammed the Government announced “review” of the Gridlink 25 as a stroke to get over the forthcoming Local and European Elections due on 23rd May next.
For months now Deputy Healy has been calling for fully independent international review of all aspects of the Gridlink proposal.
He has stressed time and time again that such a review must be independent of Eirgrid, which have its own agenda and whose consultation process was fatally flawed from the beginning.
This review is not independent of Eirgrid. In fact Eirgrid will prepare and supply engineering, technical and financial reports to the review panel.
The panels terms of reference are far too narrow and it will make only recommendations to Minister Rabbitte who has as late as last weekend, confirmed his view that these high voltage cables cannot be put underground.
Neither will the review panel deal with the health effects of these high voltage cables.
This review is handed to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government. Hardly an independent body under Minister Phil Hogan.
His bully boy tactics in bulldozing house tax and water charges legislation through the Dáil in a matter of hours does not give the public confidence in his ability to deal with this issue in a fair and impartial manner.
There is widespread concern and scepticism among the public that this so called expert review is an attempt to “pull wool over our eyes” until after the Local and European elections.
Seamus Healy T.D.
087 2802199
Minister James Reilly has approved further cuts of €619m and the reduction of 2,600 jobs in the health service this year.
This is on top of €3bn in cuts and the reduction of 11,000 jobs over the last few years. These cuts have devastated the health service, closed beds, put more people on trolleys and took medical cards from sick and elderly people.
South Tipperary General Hospital will be hit by a further €1.7m in cuts and thousands more will lose their medical cards.
More pressure will be heaped on South Tipperary General Hospital, having already lost ¼ of its budget and upwards of 200 staff over recent years.
Staff at the hospital are working above and beyond the call of duty every hour of every day. The hospital service across the Country is at breaking point.
These cuts must be reversed.
The public are entitled to a quality health service, delivered in modern surroundings and not in “third world” conditions on trolleys in hospital corridors.
Medical Card holders too are bracing themselves for withdrawal of thousands of Medical Cards this year. Sick and elderly people are being targeted by the Government for withdrawal of their Medical Cards.
Persons with severe medical conditions, including Cancer, Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy and Motor Neurone Disease who require on-going medical treatment are having their medical cards withdrawn and refused.
Further cuts to income limits for the over 70’s will see thousands lose their medical cards.
Our health is our wealth. It is time for this Government to call a halt to the onslaught out health service.
Government Politicians in Tipperary especially Ministers of State Alan Kelly and Tom Hayes have particular responsibility to protect our hospitals and our medical card holders.
Seamus Healy T.D.
Workers & Unemployed Action 