No decision more clearly emphasised the cynicism of the politics of the Fianna Fail led government than the decision announced today, Thursday, June 26th that severe cuts in services are to be implemented at Roscommon General Hospital

This was stated by Independent MEP Marian Harkin when she described the pregeneral election statement by then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern that there would be no downgrading of Roscommon Hospital, as hugely contemptuous of the people of Roscommon.

“Bertie Ahern was not the only Fianna Fail politician to deliberately deceive the people of Roscommon and they should be required now to explain why they made misleading statements on this issue”, she said.

Irrespective of the quality of A&E and surgical services provided in Portuncula Hospital there was no provision made in the strategy of the HSE to protect he health of those requiring immediate treatment in the ‘golden hour’ following the onset of a problem, she said.

She continued:  “This is a black day for Roscommon and for the Hospital campaign activists who for so many years fought so hard for the retention of services in their hospital.  The strength of feeling of the people on this issue was previously reflected in the election of the late Tom Fox to Dail Eireann and a clear message would have been sent to the Government last June if an independent candidate had again been returned in the general election to represent the right of the people of Roscommon to the health services they deserve in their own county”, Marian Harkin MEP concluded.