Labour Calls For New Health Minister

The leader of the Labour Party has called on the Taoiseach-elect to replace Mary Harney as Minister for Health when he reshuffles the cabinet.

Speaking in Cork this morning, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said it was a golden opportunity for Mr Cowan to do something about the shambles in the health service.

Brian Cowen is expected to make a number of ministerial changes when he becomes Taoiseach on May 7th.

Mr Gilmore said Ms Harney was a very talented politician, but was not the right person to be in charge of the Department of Health.

"What's required in health is somebody who has a commitment and a drive to develop a decent public health service, not somebody who sees medicine as a business opportunity," he said.

On Friday morning, the Labour Leader further criticised Ms Harney's actions over the Superbug crises in Loughlinstown, saying Ms Harney was delaying in dealing with the matter. He said: "Health Minister Mary Harney must instruct HSE CEO Prof Brendan Drumm to take a hands-on approach, and to ensure that every step possible is taken to get a consultant micro-biologist in place in Loughlinstown as matter of utmost urgency.

"It is after all a matter of life and death."

(DW/JM)