Health minister wants more time to negotiate Orkambi deal as campaigners protest at Dail
More than a thousand Cystic Fibrosis campaigners are gathered outside Leinster House calling for the approval of the Orkambi drug. Protestors are holding a minute’s silence outside Leinster House for the second time in a matter of months. Campaigners will hold purple balloons and purple roses as an expression…
Fianna Fail TD says hospital prefabs sets “a bad precedent”
A Sligo/Leitrim Fianna Fail TD has described the provision on prefabs on some hospital grounds to relieve overcrowding as ‘a bad precedent.’ Deputy Marc MacSharry was reacting to a proposal by Health Minister Simon Harris, who says the move is a short-term solution. However, there is already concern over whether…
Local TDs aim to make it easier to tender state contracts
TDs from the region are calling for it to be made easier for local businesses and contractors to tender for State contracts. A new Fianna Fail Bill, which was debated in the Dail aims to increase competition by improving the ability of small and medium sized businesses to compete for…
Local TDs raise issue of Doonally RVL in Dail chamber ahead of demonstration
Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture, Andrew Doyle, insists government policy is to improve the regional veterinary laboratory testing system, not damage it Speaking in response to a number of queries on the future of the RVL in Doonally yesterday evening, Minister Doyle says it will all come…
Sligo/Leitrim TD proposes Donegal & Cavan be standalone constituencies
A Sligo/Leitrim Dail deputy is proposing to the Constituencies Commission that the counties of Donegal and Cavan be reunited for the purposes of general elections. Fianna Fail TD Marc MacSharry is proposing that Sligo/Leitrim should be one constitiency with four seats; that Cavan/Monaghan be one constituency with five seats; and…
32 positions to be moved from Department of Social Welfare in Sligo
The Department of Social Protection is denying claims that more than 30 jobs will be lost at it’s base in Sligo. However they have confirmed that 32 positions will be moved to Dublin as part of a reallocation of roles. It follows concerns raised this morning by Fianna Fail deputy…
Switching reponsibility for carers allowance could free up beds
A Sligo/Leitrim TD has told the dail switching the carers allowance to the department of health could free up beds in hospitals. Fianna Fail’s Marc MacSharry was speaking yesterday raised the possibility of using the upcoming Social Welfare Bill to transfer the carers allowance to the control of the health…