Cowen is criticised over hospital finances

The Minister for Health was called on to resign because of his handling of the Deloitte and Touche report into the finances of Tallaght Hospital.

Calling on Mr Cowen to publish the report, the Fine Gael spokesman on health, Mr Alan Shatter, accused him of undermining public confidence. "The Minister has been addressing issues relating to the hospital with the sensitivity of a stampeding herd of rhinos."

Mr Shatter said that it was in the public interest that the report be published. "Many newspaper and media reports in the last 24 hours have grossly overestimated the extent of the hospital's expenditure overrun and misrepresented, I believe, the likely anticipated contents of the report." Mr Cowen said the question of considering publishing the report did not arise at this point. "To do so would not be helpful to resolving the problem, which is what I am charged to do and intent on achieving." Mr Shatter said it was absolutely appalling that the Minister engaged in an unprecedented breach of faith towards the hospital's board and management.

"It is my understanding that it was agreed, both from the Minister's side and from the board's side, that no public comments would be made concerning the substance of the report pending a further meeting taking place to work out how to address various issues relating to Tallaght Hospital.

"In an unprecedented and extraordinary breach of faith, the Minister issued a statement yesterday about the report. The Minister's strategy was to point the finger at the board as being solely responsible for any difficulties and target them for the blame."

Mr Cowen said what was involved was a £13.2 million revenue overspend and a potential £4.3 million overrun of capital expenditure. Following adjustment for additional funding the projected net revenue deficit for this year was £8.5 million.