DUP & SF Blame Each Other For Health Crisis

Former NI Executive partners Sinn Féin and the DUP have called on the other to take action to address the ongoing crisis in the health service.

DUP MLA Peter Weir called on Sinn Fein to "put the needs of patients above the demands of their party", while Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd said that if the DUP was sincere about the problems facing the health service it would end its support for Tory austerity cuts to public services and focus on restoring the political institutions on a sustainable basis.

Deputy Weir said: "On her first day as Health Minister Michelle O'Neill stressed the priority she placed on reforming our health service to deliver for patients. Today however the former Health Minister plays the role of a disinterested observer as our health service faces major pressures, and our health service staff work tirelessly to deliver the very best service to the public.

"There has been no reform of the health service because Sinn Fein have placed their party-political demands as a higher priority than growing waiting lists. There has been no reform of the health service because Michelle O'Neill walked away from her desk and away from the route map to deliver that reform.

"The problems were exacerbated by a Finance Minister who walked away from his desk without even completing the one job expected of him – to deliver a budget to fund vital public services, including the health service.

"Sinn Fein talk about "no return to the status quo" but refuse to engage in talks with other parties. Their actions do not indicate a party seeking to find solutions, but rather putting forward excuses for their intransigence.

"We believe that devolution is in the best interests of Northern Ireland, and despite the difficulties involved in making it work, we are committed to restoring the Executive. Sinn Fein must step forward and put the needs of everyone above the demands of their party."

And at the same time, Sinn Féin MLA John O'Dowd said: "The DUP brought about the collapse of the political institutions by its mishandling of the RHI scandal, its association with a series of other financial scandals, its refusal to implement previous agreements and its blockade on rights.

"The DUP have also piled the pressure onto our hard-pressed public services by giving the Tory government a blank cheque for its austerity policies and vicious cuts to frontline services.

"If the DUP are serious about tackling the problems facing the health service they would end their support for Tory cuts and focus on restoring the political institutions on the principles of the Good Friday Agreement.

"Sinn Féin wants a new Executive based on the principles of the Good Friday Agreement.

"Locally elected ministers are best placed to run local public services and fight back against the threat of Tory austerity.

"A sustainable Executive requires the implementation of previous agreements and an end to the DUP's blockade of rights which citizens enjoy everywhere else on these islands.

"If DUP continue to block social progress and rights and won't embrace meaningful power-sharing, then there is an onus on the two Governments to spell out how they will implement previous agreements in accordance with the wishes of citizens of this island, north and south."

(MH/LM)