Not a good Drumm role

Last Thursday (15th October 2009) Myles Dungan, deputising for Pat Kenny, presented Kenny’s radio show from Donegal. One of his guests was a local, Pearse Doherty. Doherty spoke to Dungan on a number of issues, both ideological and pragmatic. For me it was refreshing to hear him highlight two issues that concern the people of Donegal.

Firstly the lack of a rail service from Dublin to Donegal. This may have something to do with the north-western terrain, hard to know why. But Doherty’s second point was the disgraceful way that the people of Donegal do not have adequate cancer care – in 2009! It is appalling to think that these people are not getting the treatment they need – something that other parts of the country are receiving. Doherty speaks well and the locals cheer when he is scathing of the government.

His words ring loudly when you look at the €70,000 bonus which will be dished up to chief executive of the HSE, Brendan Drumm. At a time of cuts and ‘belt-tightening’ it is surely immoral for this fellow to be getting a bonus of this magnitude. At very least the government should have it reduced. The people of Donegal are forgotten, despite the Tánaiste being a local TD. They deserve better.

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Last week John O’Donohue TD donned the robes of the office (?) of Ceann Comhairle for the last time. Chauffer-driven cars, trips to Longchamps and expensive stays at top hotels may also be at an end as the TD for south Kerry tries to restore his political career.

In his resignation speech, he defended his character and challenged others who criticised him most notably Eamon Gilmore, Labour leader, who is widely believed to have wielded the critical blow that finished O’Donohue’s time as Ceann Comhairle.

From the highs of being minister for Justice to the plateau of the department of arts and entertainment, Mr O’Donohue has now been stripped of the plum job of Ceann Comhairle.

Will his time be up as a TD? Mr O’Donohue says that’s a matter for the people of south Kerry, people who may feel he’s being badly treated by the media and the Dublin intelligencia. Mr O’Donohue’s next move will be of considerable interest to observers.