BEVERLEY FLYNN was last night challenged to vote for the retention of cancer services in her native Mayo during an emotional and highly charged debate.
Fine Gael TD Michael Ring said that Ms Flynn, recently readmitted to the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, had been elected by women, some of whom were in the public gallery, as an Independent.
"You went through the lobby before in relation to your father. I admire you for that. I am asking you tonight to come with us and go through the lobby for the women in Mayo . . . You told them in Castlebar you would be with them.'' Earlier, Ms Flynn said that there would be a Mayo clinic within the Galway clinic with designated theatre and clinic times.
The House was debating the FG-Labour private members' motion calling on the Government to provide satellite units with the eight centres of excellence.
These would be provided at Letterkenny, Mayo and Sligo under the responsibility of the Galway centre of excellence.
All Government deputies supported the Government's amendment to the motion endorsing its own policy on the centres of excellence. The Government won the vote by 75 votes to 62.
Former minister of state for health Dr Jimmy Devins, who represents Sligo-North Leitrim, said there had been intense debate on the issue. Prior to his election to the Dáil in 2002, he had worked as a GP in Sligo town and he was aware of the skill and dedication of the surgical staff in the hospital.
John Perry (FG, Sligo-North Leitrim) said that it was the job of experts to advise and the job of Government to decide. "The responsibility for downgrading of Sligo hospital lies . . . with this Government and its Ministers.''
Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said that TDs voting with the Government were voting to end services at Sligo, Mayo and in Drogheda.
