Simon Harris Must Resign

Simon Harris Must Resign - Tóibín

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has called for the resignation of the Minister for Health, Simon Harris.

An Teachta Tóibín stated:

"Aontú is calling for the resignation of Simon Harris as Minister for Health on the basis of his shocking and dangerous mismanagement of the Irish health service. Simon Harris and Fine Gael are significantly damaging the health of so many Irish people.

"Hundreds of thousands of Irish people are suffering pain, serious immobility and damaging long-term ill health as a direct result of the crumbling Irish health system and the confused maladministration of Simon Harris.

"Simon Harris has been at the helm of the Department of Health since 2016 and his record is unacceptable:

· 1,000,000 Irish people are on Hospital waiting lists;

· 47,000 extra people added to the out patient waiting list last year;

· 200,000 children are waiting for treatment;

· 15,344 people over the age of 75 were left without a hospital bed for more than a day last year;

· We have the lowest number of medical specialists in the EU;

· 1 in 5 consultants or 500 Consultant posts unfilled;

· The worst ever hospital overcrowding;

· 120,000 sick, ill and elderly people left on trolleys last year. 760 people on trolleys today;

· Children fighting cancer have chemotherapy sessions cancelled in Crumlin Hospital due to bed shortages;

· 350 people die each year due to hospital overcrowding according to the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM);

· 300 fewer beds than a decade ago and a population increase of half a million during the same time;

· Ongoing heart-breaking Cervical Check Scandal;

· Heart surgery for a young boy cancelled 8 times.

· Cost of the National Children's Hospital ballooning out of control;

· Spinraza promise but no delivery;

· Blister packs increasing in cost;

· Thousands of patients stuck in hospital because of the lack of home help hours;

· 40,000 people on waiting lists for eye care;

· Thousands of people being bussed to the north of Ireland for cataract surgeries;

· 2.8 acute hospital beds per 1,000 of the population, compared with an OECD average of 4.3 per 1000;

· Radical under-investment in Primary care and in Community-based services;

"Simon Harris' term as Minister must come to an end now. It is time that he is held to account. It is time that TDs from all parties make it clear that patients and medical staff must be put first and that Simon Harris' tenure in office is ended."

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.