DARAGH MacDERMOTT,
Madam, - The death of a premature baby on Wednesday morning was an immense tragedy for the parents, the dedicated staff of Monaghan hospital and every citizen of Ireland.
For some time now your paper has carried a flow of articles and letters referring to the situation in Monaghan Hospital but no warning was heeded. This death is a direct consequence of the Government's policy of spending recklessly on the health system without proper evaluation. I have no doubt there is more tragedy and hardship ahead.
It's simply not good enough for Charlie McCreevy to announce that the medical budget has doubled in recent years. It's the easiest thing in the world to spend money and the more money you have the easier it is to spend.
It is a dereliction of duty to throw more and more money into a system without getting any assessment as to what benefits are resulting from such investment.
The Minister for Health has asked for a report on the Monaghan tragedy, which will no doubt confirm what the staff of Monaghan Hospital have been saying all along. I can't imagine what it will be like for the mother to have to listen to various Government officials talk about the sorrow and tragedy. I know that I would not be able to cope.
I know also that it will take a disaster on the railways before there is any call for a report or utterances of sorrow about the constant overcrowding on trains.
The family in Monaghan and the staff of Monaghan Hospital are today the victims of Government policy. Tomorrow it could be me or you. - Yours, etc.,
DARAGH MacDERMOTT, Upper Esmonde Street, Gorey, Co Wexford.
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Madam, - On Wednesday Mr Ahern, acting on behalf of the citizens of this State, made a commitment to providing two stadiums for the Euro 2008 bid. On the same day a baby from Monaghan prematurely became, and briefly was, a citizen of this State. She was born in an ambulance because, we are told, this nation cannot afford to commit itself to providing full health services in Monaghan.
As a citizen of this State I despair. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL FINNEGAN, Drummerkeane, Carrigallen, Co Leitrim.