As we here in Waterford, now appear to have the
prospect of watching Coffey ‘v’ Deasy, in the run up to the next general
election. The two local Fine Gael politicians appear to be squaring up over a
number of issues, with the University Hospital Waterford being the main fight topic
on the card.
We have known for some time now, that Mr Deasy is
well and truly playing the same hand of cards as Minister Harris and standing
by the flawed Herity Report. In fact, they have been singing from the same hymn
sheet for a number of months. Specifically, in relation to the provision of
equality in our South East health service.
Well, it now appears, that from the corridors of the
Seanad Éireann,
Mr Coffey is starting to shout just a wee bit louder on this subject than his
FG colleague. Now that I think, is a good thing. But we have to ask why this
was not done a few years ago when Mr Coffey was in fact a Junior Minister, in
Government?
When we had the much trumpeted Higgins Report, (I
know, we have so many reports lying around we could actually build a wall in
Kilkenny!) did our then TDs not act upon the very clear findings by Higgins?
Immediately implementing the necessary changes to our health service, for the
betterment of all citizens of the South East? All the recommendations were
apparently there, in black and white, in the last “Programme for Government”?
But alas, like so many other Waterford promises, these were not written in
indelible ink! Quite clearly, all matters Waterford seem to be written in
pencil, easily erased at the behest of others.
With FG beginning to fight internally, on Kildare
Street, they are obviously concerned about the possibility of ever returning
back to a two seat constituency, here in Waterford. So the battle lines have
been drawn. The first shots across the bow have been fired. But will this very
public spat actually benefit the campaign to secure our basic right to adequate
health provision out of UHW?
The answer I fear will be no!
It does appear that come election time, we all
conveniently forget what has happened over the past 2, 3 or 4 years. Yet we
recall the day, which came out of the melting pot, having kicked the neighbours
out of Ireland and the subsequent formation of the two main current political
parties – namely FF and FG.
Old habits certainly die hard when it comes to
putting a number against the ballot paper. We seem to conveniently forget past
atrocities and vote the same old way. The last election proved this point and
come the next election, will we really vote on the basis of what we read and
feel today, in this moment?
The spat between our two FG heavyweights, will bring
many column inches to local newspapers, but very few to a national level.
Political posturing is akin to the Peacock flashing his wonderful tail
feathers, to attract a Peahen into his harem. Not all are fooled.
As a few more regional TDs join our campaign, this
will further highlight the deficiencies in those unwilling to support, what
should be rightfully be in place here in Waterford, benefitting of the whole
region.
Our mobile catheterization laboratory is apparently so mobile, that no knows where
it is and when it might actually get round to visiting Waterford. Maybe, Mr Coffey
could give Minister Harris these GPS co-ordinates of the hospital, 52.2486° N, 7.0781° W, so that they can be passed to the
appropriate Department!
The real fight will of course not live up
to the hype, as Mr Deasy will continue his radio silence on all matters
Waterford.
Come the next knock at your door, remember
the immediate past!
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