Madam, - Three days into her appointment as the new Minister for Health, and already Dr Cróchán O'Sullivan has rushed to judge Mary Harney.
In her speech to the Dáil on Wednesday evening she spoke passionately about building a health service that is accessible to every citizen, regardless of wealth. She is guided not by any particular ideology but by her own personal experience.
Mary Harney has proved herself a capable and courageous politician who has achieved a great deal. Now she is turning her considerable abilities to the health service. But she will not be able to achieve reform on her own. She needs the co-operation of us all. I wonder if Dr O'Sullivan is willing to play his part in this process?
I have pinned Dr O'Sullivan's letter to my health reform file. I look forward to referencing the improvements in the health service against his letter when the Government faces the electorate in two-and-half-year's time.
One thing is for sure: if anyone can improve our health service it is Mary Harney; but then that's why I am in the party she leads. - Yours, etc.,
FIONA O'MALLEY, TD,
Dáil Éireann,
Dublin 2.