Dublin Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Seán Crowe to run in Local Government elections in 2009

Published: 18 January, 2008


Former Sinn Féin TD Seán Crowe speaking last night at a packed meeting of party supporters in Killinardan, Tallaght said he is "determined to run for the local elections in 2009". He said he was looking forward to the new challenge and was confident, despite the recent set back, that the party would increase its representation on South Dublin County Council. He called on supporters to give their full and active support to Tallaght Hospital, which he said was "vital to the health and quality of life of everyone from the area and beyond."

Sinn Féin has three councillors on South Dublin County Council.

Mr Crowe said:

"The disappointing results from the last election should act as a wake up call to Sinn Fein activists in this city. We can use those results as an opportunity to reinvigorate our party and it's supporters right across Dublin.

"Sinn Fein doesn't need to reinvent itself, ditch or create new policies or change our national demands. We need to do what we do best, become more focused in our work and activities and give real leadership on the issues that are dragging down the quality of life of the communities we represent.

"The big issue in this constituency revolves around the downgrading of Tallaght Hospital. It seems like every day a new scandal and usually a negative story unfolds about our hospital. Tallaght hospital is only open 10 years but during that time its casualty wards have become the busiest in the State dealing with approximately 78,000 attendances last year.

"Investment of resources or the lack of it makes a huge difference to a hospital being able to respond in an effective and caring manner to patients needs. The lack of resources results in people on trolleys in Accident & Emergency and Day Wards. 51 people were on trolleys on Friday 11th January and 12 in day ward.

"The ban on the recruitment of new staff means that the hospital is now short of a locum to anaesthetise patients, which has led to an increased delay in elective surgery for hips, knees and backs. Already a number of surgeons working in Tallaght Hospital have been adversely affected resulting in cancellations and longer waiting time for vital, life changing operations.

"The delay in delivering ECGs for heart patients also means there is currently a two-year waiting list. The Cardiac unit has had to cut back half of its procedures over the last few months. These latest developments combined with the government plans to move the Children's Hospital from Tallaght to the Mater Hospital will drastically cut options for parents with a sick child.

"The 'Urgent Care Unit' that will replace the Children's Hospital will not have overnight beds and will, if plans are carried through, only treat minor ailments. Our Lady's Hospital in Crumlin is also due to close as part of this badly worked out plan. This present strategy if followed through by Government and the HSE will be disastrous for sick children and will mean no overnight beds for children on the Southside of Dublin.

"Sinn Fein in Dublin South West will be using this period in the run up to the local elections to bring about change. We have to inform the electorate and organise against these cuts and the downgrading of this vital resource. I am publicly committing myself tonight to work in the weeks, months ahead and years if necessary to reverse these cuts in services. It is vital to the future quality of the people of this area that services at Tallaght are maintained and enhanced."