McDowell sits after neurosurgery heckling

A row erupted in the Dáil when Tánaiste Michael McDowell sat down abruptly as he was heckled about his response to a question about neurosurgical services.

Mr McDowell refused to respond further because of sustained interruptions, but the Opposition claimed he did not have an answer for the state of neurosurgery which was "on the verge of collapse".

The argument developed when Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said "the computers used to guide brain operations keep crashing" and "for lack of money the equipment has not been replaced for years". Claiming the controversial PPARS computer system had cost €186 million but nothing had been spent on neurosurgery, he said one expert had described the service as worse than it was 30 years ago.

There was "a shortage of consultants, a shortage of beds and crucial equipment is out of date and regularly breaks down".

A GP in Wexford had been promised an appointment in three weeks for a woman with epilepsy but was still waiting after three years; more than half of the 426 people on a surgery waiting list in Beaumont Hospital last year had been waiting for a year.

Mr McDowell highlighted overall spending in health services of more than €12.75 billion, the numbers of staff had improved by more than 40 per cent. There were 56 per cent more consultants and there had been improvements in A & E services. "The health service is rapidly becoming one of the most effective health services in the EU."

There were numerous interruptions and Labour TD Emmet Stagg said Mr McDowell "should be reminded of the question". However the Minister retorted that "deputy Stagg and others are practitioners of the business of asking a question and then shouting the respondent down".

Mr Kenny said that Mr McDowell did not once refer to neurosurgery. "The Tánaiste speaks of others as being handcuffed to mediocrity. The answer he has just given is appalling in respect of the 425 people waiting for brain surgery and treatment in Beaumont Hospital."

He said they were "talking about men and women with bleeds to the brain, brain tumours, aneurysms, brain injury following accidents, severely debilitating diseases such as Parkinson's disease". He added that the PDs styled themselves as the "party that gets things done. Will the Tánaiste tell the nation what it has done about neurosurgery in the last 10 years?"

Mr McDowell responded that Mr Kenny "seems to be engaging in amateur theatricals. He has come into this House . . ." When there were further interruptions, Mr McDowell said that "the shouting has started again. That is the end of it," and he sat down.

When Fine Gael demanded an answer and called on Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon to ensure it, he said that was not a function of a chair anywhere in the world. He added that every member was entitled to the courtesy of being heard.