Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD says he’ll “be damned” if a new hospital for the Midwest isn’t located in this county.
Candidates representing the country’s largest three political parties have been discussing party manifestos, as campaigning for the General Election continues ahead of polling day on November 29th.
It’s day five of campaigning and so far in Clare, 19 candidates have declared their intention to run in the General Election, ahead of the close of nominations on Saturday at noon.
Locally, some of the topics up for discussion today have been the delivery of housing, the health service, tourism, business and education.
Central to the discussion on health has been a research paper completed by University of Limerick PhD student Sinéad Madden, which recommends the construction of a new 352-bed Model Four hospital, with an ED, on a green field site in Ennis.
Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD has long argued that reconfiguration of Midwest hospital services was a mistake and has expressed disappointment that a HIQA report into facilities at University Hospital Limerick hasn’t yet been published.
The Health Minister has indicated that report will come to light by the summer next year and Deputy Cathal Crowe believes a new model three or model four hospital will be among the recommendations.
The Meelick-based TD fears the battle ahead will focus around the location of such a facility and he insists it must be in this county.
Clare’s Sinn Féin candidate has echoed this sentiment, pointing to comments from her party’s Health Spokesperon that Ennis would be the logical location for a new ED.
Shannon Councillor Donna Mc Gettigan says her party’s health plan is ambitious, but she believes it is doable.
A Clare Fine Gael election candidate has expressed confidence that the Taoiseach will act on the recommendations of the HIQA report.
Clarecastle’s Leonora Carey insists, however, that a number of steps need to be taken in the intervening period, saying many people in this county are concerned about what will happen this winter, if they’re forced to attend hospital.
Nationally, the Green Party is launching its manifesto promising to invest the Apple Tax money in public transport today.
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin will be speaking to the IFA as they seek the farming vote, while Aontú is launching its immigration policy ahead of the general election.
Labour is pledging to prioritise public spending, rather than tax cuts, as it launches its Finance policy, which promises to broaden the tax base with increased taxes based on wealth, rather than income.
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