Madam, - The Minister for Health, Micheál Martin, states (May 27th) that he received "independent" public health advice before withdrawing invitations to teams from certain countries to participate in the Special Olympics.
The Minister is being disingenuous in his wording. The fact is that none of the public health doctors on the advisory committee are independent: all are employees of the Department of Health and Children.
The Minister must take steps immediately to begin meaningful discussions to resolve the public health doctors' dispute, so that he can draw on expert independent advice from public health doctors. - Yours, etc.,
DICK CONROY,
Lower Gardiner Street,
Dublin 1.
Madam, - Does Micheál Martin not realise that he is the Minister with responsibility for health? This means he is the manager of that Department - and as the Manager he should never hand over entire responsibility for any major decision to subordinates, expert or otherwise. As the manager, it is his responsibility to fit all information into the bigger picture, applying common sense and making an informed decision.
In the case of the Special Olympics athletes from affected countries, the rationale that they, who are willing to be monitored and quarantined, are not welcome in our country, while random business and tourist visitors are welcomed, is a joke. It is discriminatory.
Mr Martin says, "It would be wrong to ignore [the expert group's\] advice and medical knowledge." Of course it would be wrong. It is also wrong to make what should have been one element of a decision into that decision in its entirety. The Minister is attempting to absolve himself from responsibility. He cannot. He is the Minister.
It is still not too late to let common sense prevail. Either ban all people who are associated with SARS-affected countries until clearance is given by the WHO, or welcome all such people to our country. At least treat all equally. - Yours, etc.
MICHAEL AHERN,
Weston Meadow,
Lucan,
Co Dublin.