Re: Gordon Deegan's article in HealthSupplement on May 15th, regarding Ennis Hospital
Dear Sir,
Senator Daly makes two points which deserve comment.
1. The Government installed a state-of-the-art theatre, costing millions, in Monaghan General Hospital; they spent over €2 million on a new and extended casualty unit; they spent over €4 million on the refurbishment of two wards, one medical and one surgical; they spent over €2 million on upgrading the heating and electrical system; they spent thousands on other improvements to the fabric of the building; and they assured the people that they would never downgrade the hospital after spending all this money.
The theatre is now being used two hours maximum per day Monday to Friday; the casualty unit will be reduced to a nurse-led minor injuries unit open 8am-8pm before 2008; the refurbished wards are now designated as rehabilitation/respite wards; and all acute care and emergencies will be transferred to Cavan and Drogheda by December 2007. The promises made by Senator Daly to Ennis Hospital do not copperfasten the future of the hospital as an acute hospital with full A&E.
2. Senator Daly is reported as saying that he would not be concerned about the consultants' report as it will be Government that will ensure the hospital's future. This is in conflict with the Government's stance on Monaghan hospital where we are told by Government that the HSE has full responsibility for the provision of services and that the Government cannot interfere but supports the consultants' report. We would like clarification on this matter. Who is responsible?
Peadar McMahon, Chairman of County Monaghan Community Alliance
Re: The Bigger Picture, HealthSupplement, May 15th
Dear Sir,
As someone who organised the first Irish public debate on GM food a decade ago I find it fascinating, yet disappointing to read Shalini Sinha's misinformed, scaremongering column. Contrary to Ms Sinha's outlandish suggestion, genes in fact don't "kill life", they produce proteins and some of these proteins can offer natural protection to a plant from insect pests, viruses, etc. In fact, most plants have genes that "naturally" produce defensive proteins which can "naturally kill life". Examples in Irish supermarkets of such plants are the common potato and rhubarb which can be found in both conventional and organic forms which I hope don't scare Ms Sinha too much. Certain GM crops simply harness such genes to enhance protection for the plant.
Also proving Ms Sinha incorrect is the fact that certain GM crops do indeed reduce the volume of pesticide use (eg GM cotton - fallen approximately 50 per cent from about one-half pound per acre in the early 1990s to 0.28 pounds per acre in 2000). From a health perspective it is also noteworthy that GM Bt corn has near no chance of dangerous cancer- causing mould mycotoxins which are a risk with conventional/organic corn.
Ms Sinha, as a so-called health columnist, should note that the Irish Medical Organisation agm, both this year and in 2001, defeated motions calling for a moratorium on the sale and growing of genetically engineered crops in Ireland. In addition, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and the European Food Safety Authority aren't scared of GM crops/food. Making an uninformed song and a dance may work for Ms Sinha when participating in RTÉ's Celebrity Jigs 'n' Reels, however, it is clear she has two left feet when it comes to researching her Irish Timesarticles.
Yours sincerely,
Shane Morris, Sandyford, Dublin