Speaking yesterday during Standing Orders in the Dáil, Sinn Féin TD for Louth Arthur Morgan called for a debate on the removal of essential emergency services from Louth County Hospital given that thousands of lives are being put at risk by removing the element of the golden hour from those living in the north County Louth area. The Louth TD pressed for a discussion and debate on this critical issue but was suspended from the house by the Ceann Comhairle, Seamus Kirk, while making the representation.

Deputy Morgan called for a debate on the issue of:

“The shameful and disgraceful removal of essential emergency services from Louth County Hospital, Dundalk, which has a catchment population of approximately 100,000, placing thousands of families outside what is known as the 'golden hour' and the implications for those affected.

“The lack of capacity and staff at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda to cope with this dreadfully planned move; its implications for staff and patients at the hospital, as well as people from the County Louth catchment area.

“The insufficient ambulance cover in the north County Louth area, which adds to the threat to people in the Dundalk area who need emergency cover; and the disgraceful abuse of staff at Louth County Hospital, including bullying by senior HSE management who lied to me on Tuesday evening last at a meeting convened by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern.

Deputy Morgan added:

“Management told me bare-faced lies last Tuesday evening and received kudos from their political masters for doing so, rather than being held properly to account.  Management has refused to outline to Oireachtas Members its plans and the consequences of removal of these services.  It is necessary to restore proper, essential emergency services to people in north County Louth.

“I would like respect to be shown to the people living in the catchment area of Louth County Hospital and the wider north-east region because no respect is being shown for their medical needs or the need to provide them with emergency cover. Will the Ceann Comhairle extract an undertaking from the Government that it will respect their needs?

Speaking before he was suspended from the Dáil, Deputy Morgan questioned the motives of the Ceann Comhairle for ruling the request out of order:

“What could be more important than putting thousands of lives at risk by removing the element of the golden hour from those living in the north County Louth area? Why can he not allow the House to hold the Minister and Government to account?

“Why did the Ceann Comhairle rule the matter out of order without a discussion?  In any other part of the world the issue would be discussed.  The issue is part of Government policy and the Ceann Comhairle is ignoring it.”