TDs should be ‘ashamed’ at putting Irish Water before health

TDs should be “ashamed” that Irish Water is being prioritised in talks to form a government, rather than “the real issue of life or death” in the State’s health services, the president of the Irish Medical Organisation said.

Speaking yesterday, Dr John Duddy expressed dismay at the “apparent lack of interest” in the health services during the talks. He also warned that the incoming government faced “a series of massive challenges” in the sector.

“I struggle with our sense of political priorities when we seem to be more preoccupied about what to do with Irish Water than how to improve our health services,” he said.

“Irish Water is being treated as a matter of life or death while the real issues of life or death are ignored,” he said.

Dr Duddy cited a number of “major challenges” in the health service. They included a potential shortfall of €500 million in the health budget, overcrowding in emergency departments, bed shortages and “endless” waiting lists. He added there were “resource problems” in GP services, some 300 vacant consultant posts, as well as “widespread” emigration of Irish doctors.