Republican News · Thursday 28 March 2002

Welcome for All-Ireland health moves

Sinn Féin Assmbly health spokesperson John Kelly has welcomed the recent inter-party cooperation on cross-border health initiatives as necessary to create an effective and efficient All-Ireland health service.

"A recent delegation, consisting of Sinn Féin, the SDLP, and Ulster Unionist councillors visited the Dáil to lobby TDs about the provision of acute health care facilities in specific border areas," he said. "This signifies a welcome acknowledgment of the need for increased cross-border health strategies. People on the ground are becoming more and more aware that in order to realistically address the problem of health on this island, it is no longer practical to have two separate health care systems.

"Last Friday, another delegation from Omagh District Council discussed the possibilities of an All-Ireland cross-border health care strategy at a conference in Killarney.

"This is evidence that people are enthusiastic about engaging in the debate on All-Ireland structures and are keen to explore how we develop the All-Ireland framework.

"The duplication of services is no longer tenable on this island. No matter what political party people belong to, everyone sees the urgent need to harmonise and maximise the resources available to us in the provision of health care. Sinn Féin welcomes and supports the efforts of these delegations."