FIANNA FÁIL TD Jimmy Devins has described his decision to resign the party whip over opposition to cuts in breast cancer services at Sligo General Hospital as “momentous”.
Writing in today's Irish Times, Mr Devins said the Government's decision on the transfer of services from Sligo was wrong. "To step aside from the whip and my parliamentary colleagues is painful and isolating," he said.
“My decision to resign the whip is momentous and reflects the seriousness with which I view this Government decision and my belief that it is wrong.”
Mr Devins and his Sligo-North Leitrim colleague Eamon Scanlon defected on Wednesday, leavg the Government in a precarious position in the Dáil, as it no longer enjoys a majority.
“I and my party colleague, Mr Eamon Scanlon TD, did all within our powers to persuade the Taoiseach to reverse the decision of the Minister of Health, Mary Harney’s, advised as she is by Tom Keane. Our heartfelt representations were apparently not considered valid.”
Mr Devins said those who described his move as meaningless or hypocritical failed to recognise his belief in the ideals of Fianna Fáil.
Meanwhile, he said a case could be made for a cut in the number of TDs, which “would have the immediate beneficial effect of a reduction in the cost of the Dáil”.
Mr Devins said certain senior and junior portfolios would benefit from having people with expert knowledge of the sector in the position. “This would also result in a reduction in the plethora of special advisers and consultants who cost the exchequer so dearly,” he said.
“Many European countries operate a variation of a list system which allows people with specific expertise in different areas to be members of Government without having to directly contest elections. Some variant of this list system is surely worthy of consideration,” he added.
