Fianna Fáil - Fine Gael is responsible for horrific situation where neonatal intensive care staff have no option but fundraise for ultrasound machine - Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has hit out at Fine Gael and their support party, Fianna Fáil, in the wake of news that staff at the Rotunda Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit have had to set up an online fundraising drive to buy an essential piece of equipment to save the lives of premature babies.
Deputy Tóibín stated:
“It is truly shameful that the government and their supporters in Michael Martin’s party have allowed the health service to deteriorate to the point that even the provision of life-saving equipment for new born babies is beyond their interest.
“Staff at the Rotunda’s neonatal intensive care unit, who care for babies weighing as little as 400g in extremely vulnerable conditions and nurse them to health, have been forced by characteristic government callousness to seek funds of €76,500 for a new echocardiography machine.
“It is wholly unacceptable that the most vulnerable in society, in this case babies who may lose their lives, are exposed to such extreme risk. The government’s approach in relation to this matter, we must remember, is in fact fully in line with Fine Gael’s attitude of discarding the vulnerable.
“In the context of the lives of preborn babies, it is important to remind ourselves that Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and every party in Leinster House, with the exception of Aontú, voted for an abortion-on-demand regime to be fully funded by the public. This is having a knock-on effect in diverting money away from life-saving treatment and from maternity units.
“Aontú is committed to a public health service that puts public money into life-saving treatment and equipment, rather than ending the lives of the most vulnerable human beings.”
